A Novel Approach for Integrating AF-SLO and SDOCT Imaging Data Demonstrates the Ability to Identify Early Retinal Abnormalities in Mutant Mice and Evaluate the Effects of Genetic and Pharmacological Manipulation.

Noninvasive ocular imaging platforms are undeniably useful in identifying retinal abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to investigate a novel method for integrating information acquired from two independent imaging platforms, AF-SLO and SDOCT, in order to demonstrate retinal perturbations as a result of genetic or pharmacological manipulation. Two cohorts of mice were investigated, Nyx nob and C57BL/6 J. In Nyx nob mice, SLO revealed an atypical but variable amount of autofluorescent foci (AFF); SDOCT showed altered photoreceptor outer segment architecture. Naïve Nyx nob had significantly more AFF than C57BL/6 J, suggesting that Nyx nob have some predisposition for developing AFF. Interestingly, both findings were significantly ameliorated in diabetic Nyx nob mice as compared to the controls. These data were incorporated into a novel analysis plot comparing AF-SLO and SDOCT results. The integration of the qualitative changes and accompanying quantitative analysis approach described herein provide a sensitive means for detecting whether a mouse model is susceptible to degeneration before other hallmark indicators are observed.