The role of near-infrared reflectance imaging in retinal disease: A systematic review

Near-infrared reflectance (NIR) retinal imaging aids in a better visualization of structures at the level of outer retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid. It has multiple ad-vantages, including easy acquisition in association with structural spectral domain optical coherence tomography, more comfort for patients, and enhanced contrast and spatial res-olution. It helps in the diagnosis of chorioretinal diseases that present with minimal fun-duscopic findings and can be used to follow up many chorioretinal conditions. We describe the chorioretinal NIR imaging appearance and the clinical role of NIR imaging in ocular inflammatory disease, vascular and acquired disease, degenerative disease, tumors, asso-ciated systemic condition, toxic and traumatic disease, optic nerve head conditions, and physiological findings.(c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Near-infrared reflectance (NIR) retinal imaging provides better visualization of structures in the outer retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid. It has several advantages, including easy acquisition with structural spectral domain optical coherence tomography, patient comfort, and improved contrast and spatial resolution. It can aid in the diagnosis and follow-up of various chorioretinal diseases and has clinical applications in ocular inflammatory disease, vascular and acquired disease, degenerative disease, tumors, systemic conditions, toxic and traumatic disease, optic nerve head conditions, and physiological findings.