The advances in ocular functional imaging, in particular of the ocular vasculature, greatly benefit the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of ocular diseases associated with vascular dysfunction. In addition, changes in ocular vascular parameters also seem to be associated with changes in the cerebral vasculature and therefore might have a great potential to become biomarkers for cerebrovascular diseases in the future. Studies also found that retinal vascular parameters can assist in cardiovascular risk assessment.
The technologies and methodologies for functional assessment (i.e. vessel diameters/ changes/ dynamics, branching angles, vessel density/ tortuosity) of the ocular vasculature allow for direct observation of the retinal and intra-retinal vascular beds at rest but also when challenged. Flicker light provocation, cold exposure, inhalation of gas mixtures, exercise, and others are only a few interventions that have been employed to study the functional aspects of the retinal circulation. All of those have advanced our understanding of physiological processes, but also of alterations due to systemic and local disease processes and aging
The goal of this Research Topic is to offer readers an up-to-date insight into methodological, technical, analytical, and clinical aspects of ocular imaging techniques and their potential in assessing steady-state and functional aspects of ocular and systemic disease. Firstly, to introduce different techniques and instruments in this field, describing the designated principles and validating the accuracy and feasibility, so that clinicians can utilize them accordingly. Secondly, to introduce their clinical translational aspects for clinical assessments to gain a better understanding of physiological processes and pathophysiology of different conditions. Thirdly, to showcase current applications and future possibilities of ocular imaging to aid the diagnosis, monitoring, and risk stratification in ocular and systemic disease creating a reference for eye care practitioners and those working in basic and clinical eye research. And finally, we want to highlight and discuss the importance of robust, repeatable, sensitive protocols to image and analyze so that research results can be compared across studies and populations and to serve as the foundation for the development of clinical standards.
Welcome topics include, but are not limited to the following:
• Novel functional imaging techniques and analyses protocols
• Clinical applications of functional ocular circulation assessments
• Applications suitable for the functional assessment of ocular and/ or systemic/cerebral conditions
• Validation of parameters and comparison of methods (functional ocular vascular parameters)
• Implementation of AI in ocular blood flow research
• Functional ocular vascular parameters and their potential for risk stratification and risk calculation
• Technological aspects of imaging methods and analytical protocols
Submission types:
• Original research, both: basic and clinical
• Case(s) reports
• Reviews (systematic: with or without meta-analyses)
•Technical reports
The advances in ocular functional imaging, in particular of the ocular vasculature, greatly benefit the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of ocular diseases associated with vascular dysfunction. In addition, changes in ocular vascular parameters also seem to be associated with changes in the cerebral vasculature and therefore might have a great potential to become biomarkers for cerebrovascular diseases in the future. Studies also found that retinal vascular parameters can assist in cardiovascular risk assessment.
The technologies and methodologies for functional assessment (i.e. vessel diameters/ changes/ dynamics, branching angles, vessel density/ tortuosity) of the ocular vasculature allow for direct observation of the retinal and intra-retinal vascular beds at rest but also when challenged. Flicker light provocation, cold exposure, inhalation of gas mixtures, exercise, and others are only a few interventions that have been employed to study the functional aspects of the retinal circulation. All of those have advanced our understanding of physiological processes, but also of alterations due to systemic and local disease processes and aging
The goal of this Research Topic is to offer readers an up-to-date insight into methodological, technical, analytical, and clinical aspects of ocular imaging techniques and their potential in assessing steady-state and functional aspects of ocular and systemic disease. Firstly, to introduce different techniques and instruments in this field, describing the designated principles and validating the accuracy and feasibility, so that clinicians can utilize them accordingly. Secondly, to introduce their clinical translational aspects for clinical assessments to gain a better understanding of physiological processes and pathophysiology of different conditions. Thirdly, to showcase current applications and future possibilities of ocular imaging to aid the diagnosis, monitoring, and risk stratification in ocular and systemic disease creating a reference for eye care practitioners and those working in basic and clinical eye research. And finally, we want to highlight and discuss the importance of robust, repeatable, sensitive protocols to image and analyze so that research results can be compared across studies and populations and to serve as the foundation for the development of clinical standards.
Welcome topics include, but are not limited to the following:
• Novel functional imaging techniques and analyses protocols
• Clinical applications of functional ocular circulation assessments
• Applications suitable for the functional assessment of ocular and/ or systemic/cerebral conditions
• Validation of parameters and comparison of methods (functional ocular vascular parameters)
• Implementation of AI in ocular blood flow research
• Functional ocular vascular parameters and their potential for risk stratification and risk calculation
• Technological aspects of imaging methods and analytical protocols
Submission types:
• Original research, both: basic and clinical
• Case(s) reports
• Reviews (systematic: with or without meta-analyses)
•Technical reports
