Drusen Imaging: A Review

Abstract

Drusen represent the hallmark of non-exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Drusen vary in their location within the retina, ranging from sub-retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) drusen and sub-neurosensory retinal drusenoid deposits above the RPE (or pseudo-drusen). In this paper, we review the rapidly advancing imaging techniques currently available to better correlate drusen volume to clinical stage. This includes, but is not limited to, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, infrared imaging, fundus autofluorescence, confocal adaptive-optics imaging, and hyperspectral retinal imaging. A new understanding of drusen role in the pathogenesis of the disease may be possible with these imaging modalities in future clinical studies.