Layered-resolved autofluorescence imaging of photo-receptors using two-photon excitation

Ling-Ling Zhao, Jun-Le Qu, Dan-Ni Chen, Han-Ben Niu

Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education, Institute of Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China..

DOI: 10.4236/jbise.2009.25052                

Abstract

In this paper, we present our investigation on the morphological and autofluorescence char-acteristics of the cones and rods using two- photon excitation with a femtosecond Ti: sap-phire laser. The results show that the micro-structures of the photoreceptor layers can be visualized at submicron level without any stain- ing or slicing. The morphology and spatial dis-tribution of the cones and rods can be resolved by autofluorescence imaging. The autofluores-cence in the photoreceptor outer segments is much stronger than other layers, but suscepti-ble to light-induced damage.

Keywords

Two-Photon Excitation; Photoreceptor; Retina; Autofluorescence

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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