An observational study in Autofluorescence Imaging and Neuroimaging, sponsored by Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern. Completed at 1 site in Switzerland. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-11.
Sponsored by Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern · Observational
Fluorescent lifetime microscopy has emerged as a useful tool to study fluorescent lifetimes in vitro. Fluorescence lifetime represents the average amount of time a fluorophore remains in the excited state following excitation and depends on the fluorophores molecular environment. Fluorescence lifetime ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) is a technique which can quantify fluorescence lifetimes in the human retina in vivo. The purpose of this study is to investigate fluorescence lifetime characteristics in the human retina by using a FLIO. The investigators hypothesize that FLIO will allow to identify areas of retinal metabolic stress such as ischemia by detecting changes in fluorescence lifetimes.
Background
Ophthalmic imaging has made considerable progress in the last years. Especially the introduction of optical coherence tomography and the scanning laser ophthalmoscope has helped to understand the structural changes underlying various retinal diseases. However, the appearance of structural changes during retinal disease often represents irreversible functional loss with only limited treatment options. In order to prevent loss of vision, retinal diseases should ideally be diagnosed before structural changes occur. This can be achieved by imaging metabolic changes of the retina as most retinal diseases such as age related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy are associated with distinct metabolic changes, mainly related to oxidative stress.
Recently, a novel device for imaging fluorescent lifetimes of the retina in vivo, the fluorescent lifetime ophthalmoscope (FLIO), has been developed. This device is able to measure fluorescence lifetimes in the retina on a macroscopic level and may be able to shed new light on metabolic diseases of the retina.
Objective
To define fluorescence lifetime characteristics in healthy patients and patients with various retinal diseases.
Methods
The investigators will use a novel device, the fluorescence lifetime ophthalmoscope (FLIO) to investigate fluorescence lifetimes in the human retina.
Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern is the lead sponsor of 724 studies on the registry; 177 are open to participants now.
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The study population will consist of patients and healthy subjects attending the department of ophthalmology at the University of Bern
Exclusion Criteria
Healthy patients
Device: Fluorescence lifetime ophthalmoscope
Various retinal diseases (vascular, hereditary, degenerative)
Device: Fluorescence lifetime ophthalmoscope
All patients and healthy subjects will be imaged with the fluorescence lifetime ophthalmoscope
Fluorescence lifetime measured by a fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscope
Measured by fluorescence lifetime variable (TAU). Measured once; in some patients, up to 4 measurements within 2 years will be done
Time frame: at baseline
Repeatability of FLIO
Two independent measurements
Time frame: at baseline
This study is completed, as verified in Jun 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern