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Walters S, Feeks JA, Huynh KT, Hunter JJ. Adaptive optics two-photon excited fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium in the living non-human primate eye. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 13:389-407. [PMID: 35154879 PMCID: PMC8803039 DOI: 10.1364/boe.444550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence lifetime imaging has demonstrated promise as a quantitative measure of cell health. Adaptive optics two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) ophthalmoscopy enables excitation of intrinsic retinal fluorophores involved in cellular metabolism and the visual cycle, providing in vivo visualization of retinal structure and function at the cellular scale. Combining these technologies revealed that macaque cones had a significantly longer mean TPEF lifetime than rods at 730 nm excitation. At 900 nm excitation, macaque photoreceptors had a significantly longer mean TPEF lifetime than the retinal pigment epithelium layer. AOFLIO can measure the fluorescence lifetime of intrinsic retinal fluorophores on a cellular scale, revealing differences in lifetime between retinal cell classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Walters
- The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Currently with IDEX Health & Science, West Henrietta, NY 14586, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - James A. Feeks
- The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Currently with IDEX Health & Science, West Henrietta, NY 14586, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Khang T. Huynh
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Jennifer J. Hunter
- The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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Lu R, Aguilera N, Liu T, Liu J, Giannini JP, Li J, Bower AJ, Dubra A, Tam J. In-vivo sub-diffraction adaptive optics imaging of photoreceptors in the human eye with annular pupil illumination and sub-Airy detection. OPTICA 2021; 8:333-343. [PMID: 34504903 PMCID: PMC8425240 DOI: 10.1364/optica.414206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) allows non-invasive visualization of the living human eye at the microscopic scale; but even with correction of the ocular wavefront aberrations over a large pupil, the smallest cells in the photoreceptor mosaic cannot always be resolved. Here, we synergistically combine annular pupil illumination with sub-Airy disk confocal detection to demonstrate a 33% improvement in transverse resolution (from 2.36 to 1.58 μm) and a 13% axial resolution enhancement (from 37 to 32 μm), an important step towards the study of the complete photoreceptor mosaic in heath and disease. Interestingly, annular pupil illumination also enhanced the visualization of the photoreceptor mosaic in non-confocal detection schemes such as split detection AOSLO, providing a strategy for enhanced multimodal imaging of the cone and rod photoreceptor mosaic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongwen Lu
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Nancy Aguilera
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Tao Liu
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Jianfei Liu
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - John P. Giannini
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Joanne Li
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Andrew J. Bower
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Alfredo Dubra
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94305, USA
| | - Johnny Tam
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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Dhakal KR, Walters S, McGregor JE, Schwarz C, Strazzeri JM, Aboualizadeh E, Bateman B, Huxlin KR, Hunter JJ, Williams DR, Merigan WH. Localized Photoreceptor Ablation Using Femtosecond Pulses Focused With Adaptive Optics. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2020; 9:16. [PMID: 32832223 PMCID: PMC7414617 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.9.7.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The development of new approaches to human vision restoration could be greatly accelerated with the use of nonhuman primate models; however, there is a paucity of primate models of outer retina degeneration with good spatial localization. To limit ablation to the photoreceptors, we developed a new approach that uses a near-infrared ultrafast laser, focused using adaptive optics, to concentrate light in a small focal volume within the retina. Methods In the eyes of eight anesthetized macaques, 187 locations were exposed to laser powers from 50 to 210 mW. Laser exposure locations were monitored for up to 18 months using fluorescein angiography (FA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) reflectance imaging, two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) ophthalmoscopy, histology, and calcium responses of retinal ganglion cells. Results This method produced localized photoreceptor loss with minimal axial spread of damage to other retinal layers, verified by in-vivo structural imaging and histologic examination, although in some cases evidence of altered autofluorescence was found in the adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Functional assessment using blood flow imaging of the retinal plexus and calcium imaging of the response of ganglion cells above the photoreceptor loss shows that inner retinal circuitry was preserved. Conclusions Although different from a genetic model of retinal degeneration, this model of localized photoreceptor loss may provide a useful testbed for vision restoration studies in nonhuman primates. Translational Relevance With this model, a variety of vision restoration methods can be tested in the non-human primate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal R Dhakal
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Walters
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Christina Schwarz
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | | | - Brittany Bateman
- Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Krystel R Huxlin
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer J Hunter
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - David R Williams
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,The Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - William H Merigan
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.,Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
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McGregor JE, Godat T, Dhakal KR, Parkins K, Strazzeri JM, Bateman BA, Fischer WS, Williams DR, Merigan WH. Optogenetic restoration of retinal ganglion cell activity in the living primate. Nat Commun 2020; 11:1703. [PMID: 32245977 PMCID: PMC7125151 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15317-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetic therapies for vision restoration aim to confer intrinsic light sensitivity to retinal ganglion cells when photoreceptors have degenerated and light sensitivity has been irreversibly lost. We combine adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy with calcium imaging to optically record optogenetically restored retinal ganglion cell activity in the fovea of the living primate. Recording from the intact eye of a living animal, we compare the patterns of activity evoked by the optogenetic actuator ChrimsonR with natural photoreceptor mediated stimulation in the same retinal ganglion cells. Optogenetic responses are recorded more than one year following administration of the therapy and two weeks after acute loss of photoreceptor input in the living animal. This in vivo imaging approach could be paired with any therapy to minimize the number of primates required to evaluate restored activity on the retinal level, while maximizing translational benefit by using an appropriate pre-clinical model of the human visual system. Non-human primate models are important for the development of high quality vision restoration therapies for blindness. Here, the authors demonstrate restoration of light responses in foveal retinal ganglion cells of the living macaque following optogenetic gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette E McGregor
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 319, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
| | - Tyler Godat
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 319, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.,Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Wilmot Building, 275 Hutchison Road, Box 270186, Rochester, NY, 14627-0186, USA
| | - Kamal R Dhakal
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 319, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Keith Parkins
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 319, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Jennifer M Strazzeri
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 319, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.,David & Ilene Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 659, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Brittany A Bateman
- David & Ilene Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 659, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - William S Fischer
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 319, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - David R Williams
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 319, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.,Institute of Optics, University of Rochester, Wilmot Building, 275 Hutchison Road, Box 270186, Rochester, NY, 14627-0186, USA
| | - William H Merigan
- Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave, Box 319, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA. .,David & Ilene Flaum Eye Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 659, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA.
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Cuenca N, Ortuño-Lizarán I, Sánchez-Sáez X, Kutsyr O, Albertos-Arranz H, Fernández-Sánchez L, Martínez-Gil N, Noailles A, López-Garrido JA, López-Gálvez M, Lax P, Maneu V, Pinilla I. Interpretation of OCT and OCTA images from a histological approach: Clinical and experimental implications. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 77:100828. [PMID: 31911236 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.100828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) have been a technological breakthrough in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of many retinal diseases, thanks to its resolution and its ability to inform of the retinal state in seconds, which gives relevant information about retinal degeneration. In this review, we present an immunohistochemical description of the human and mice retina and we correlate it with the OCT bands in health and pathological conditions. Here, we propose an interpretation of the four outer hyperreflective OCT bands with a correspondence to retinal histology: the first and innermost band as the external limiting membrane (ELM), the second band as the cone ellipsoid zone (EZ), the third band as the outer segment tips phagocytosed by the pigment epithelium (PhaZ), and the fourth band as the mitochondria in the basal portion of the RPE (RPEmitZ). The integrity of these bands would reflect the health of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium. Moreover, we describe how the vascular plexuses vary in different regions of the healthy human and mice retina, using OCTA and immunohistochemistry. In humans, four, three, two or one plexuses can be observed depending on the distance from the fovea. Also, specific structures such as vascular loops in the intermediate capillary plexus, or spider-like structures of interconnected capillaries in the deep capillary plexus are found. In mice, three vascular plexuses occupy the whole retina, except in the most peripheral retina where only two plexuses are found. These morphological issues should be considered when assessing a pathology, as some retinal diseases are associated with structural changes in blood vessels. Therefore, the analysis of OCT bands and OCTA vascular plexuses may be complementary for the diagnosis and prognosis of retinal degenerative processes, useful to assess therapeutic approaches, and it is usually correlated to visual acuity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Cuenca
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Spain; Institute Ramón Margalef, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
| | | | - Xavier Sánchez-Sáez
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Spain
| | - Oksana Kutsyr
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Spain
| | | | | | - Natalia Martínez-Gil
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Spain
| | - Agustina Noailles
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Spain
| | | | | | - Pedro Lax
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Spain
| | - Victoria Maneu
- Department of Optics, Pharmacology and Anatomy, University of Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Pinilla
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lozano Blesa, University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
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Interocular symmetry, intraobserver repeatability, and interobserver reliability of cone density measurements in the 13-lined ground squirrel. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223110. [PMID: 31557245 PMCID: PMC6762077 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 13-lined ground squirrel (13-LGS) possesses a cone-dominant retina that is highly amenable to non-invasive high-resolution retinal imaging. The ability for longitudinal assessment of a cone-dominant photoreceptor mosaic with an adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) has positioned the 13-LGS to become an accessible model for vision research. Here, we examine the interocular symmetry, repeatability, and reliability of cone density measurements in the 13-LGS. METHODS Thirteen 13-LGS (18 eyes) were imaged along the vertical meridian with a custom AOSLO. Regions of interest were selected superior and inferior to the optic nerve head, including the cone-rich visual streak. Non-confocal split-detection was used to capture images of the cone mosaic. Five masked observers each manually identified photoreceptors for 26 images three times and corrected an algorithm's cell identification outputs for all 214 images three times. Intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reliability of cone density were characterized using data collected from all five observers, while interocular symmetry was assessed in five animals using the average values of all observers. The distribution of image quality for all images in this study was assessed with open-sourced software. RESULTS Manual identification was less repeatable than semi-automated correction for four of the five observers. Excellent repeatability was seen from all observers (ICC = 0.997-0.999), and there was good agreement between repeat cell identification corrections in all five observers (range: 9.43-25.71 cells/degree2). Reliability of cell identification was significantly different in two of the five observers, and worst in images taken from hibernating 13-LGS. Interocular symmetry of cone density was seen in the five 13-LGS assessed. Image quality was variable between blur- and pixel intensity-based metrics. CONCLUSIONS Interocular symmetry with repeatable cone density measurements suggest that the 13-LGS is well-suited for longitudinal examination of the cone mosaic using split-detection AOSLO. Differences in reliability highlight the importance of observer training and automation of AOSLO cell detection. Cone density measurements from hibernating 13-LGS are not repeatable. Additional studies are warranted to assess other metrics of cone health to detect deviations from normal 13-LGS in future models of cone disorder in this species.
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Abstract
Retinal function has long been studied with psychophysical methods in humans, whereas detailed functional studies of vision have been conducted mostly in animals owing to the invasive nature of physiological approaches. There are exceptions to this generalization, for example, the electroretinogram. This review examines exciting recent advances using in vivo retinal imaging to understand the function of retinal neurons. In some cases, the methods have existed for years and are still being optimized. In others, new methods such as optophysiology are revealing novel patterns of retinal function in animal models that have the potential to change our understanding of the functional capacity of the retina. Together, the advances in retinal imaging mark an important milestone that shifts attention away from anatomy alone and begins to probe the function of healthy and diseased eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J Hunter
- Flaum Eye Institute and Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14604, USA; , ,
- The Institute of Optics and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14604, USA
| | - William H Merigan
- Flaum Eye Institute and Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14604, USA; , ,
| | - Jesse B Schallek
- Flaum Eye Institute and Center for Visual Science, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14604, USA; , ,
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14604, USA
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Power M, Das S, Schütze K, Marigo V, Ekström P, Paquet-Durand F. Cellular mechanisms of hereditary photoreceptor degeneration - Focus on cGMP. Prog Retin Eye Res 2019; 74:100772. [PMID: 31374251 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The cellular mechanisms underlying hereditary photoreceptor degeneration are still poorly understood, a problem that is exacerbated by the enormous genetic heterogeneity of this disease group. However, the last decade has yielded a wealth of new knowledge on degenerative pathways and their diversity. Notably, a central role of cGMP-signalling has surfaced for photoreceptor cell death triggered by a subset of disease-causing mutations. In this review, we examine key aspects relevant for photoreceptor degeneration of hereditary origin. The topics covered include energy metabolism, epigenetics, protein quality control, as well as cGMP- and Ca2+-signalling, and how the related molecular and metabolic processes may trigger photoreceptor demise. We compare and integrate evidence on different cell death mechanisms that have been associated with photoreceptor degeneration, including apoptosis, necrosis, necroptosis, and PARthanatos. A special focus is then put on the mechanisms of cGMP-dependent cell death and how exceedingly high photoreceptor cGMP levels may cause activation of Ca2+-dependent calpain-type proteases, histone deacetylases and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase. An evaluation of the available literature reveals that a large group of patients suffering from hereditary photoreceptor degeneration carry mutations that are likely to trigger cGMP-dependent cell death, making this pathway a prime target for future therapy development. Finally, an outlook is given into technological and methodological developments that will with time likely contribute to a comprehensive overview over the entire metabolic complexity of photoreceptor cell death. Building on such developments, new imaging technology and novel biomarkers may be used to develop clinical test strategies, that fully consider the genetic heterogeneity of hereditary retinal degenerations, in order to facilitate clinical testing of novel treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Power
- Cell Death Mechanism Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Germany; Centre for Integrative Neurosciences (CIN), University of Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience (GTC), University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Soumyaparna Das
- Cell Death Mechanism Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Germany; Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience (GTC), University of Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Valeria Marigo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Per Ekström
- Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Sweden
| | - François Paquet-Durand
- Cell Death Mechanism Group, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University of Tübingen, Germany.
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Podoleanu A, Izatt J, Lumbroso B, Pircher M, Rosen R, Weitz R. Progress in Multimodal En Face Imaging: feature introduction. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2019; 10:2135-2140. [PMID: 31086718 PMCID: PMC6484991 DOI: 10.1364/boe.10.002135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This feature issue contains papers that report on the most recent advances in the field of en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) and of combinations of modalities facilitated by the en face view. Hardware configurations for delivery of en face OCT images are described as well as specific signal and image processing techniques tailored to deliver relevant clinical diagnoses. The value of the en face perspective for enabling multimodality is illustrated by several combination modalities.
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