Near infrared autofluorescence (excitation 787 nm, emission >800 nm) is a non-invasive imaging technology that provides information on the distribution of melanin within the retinal pigment epithelial cell/choroid complex. This review contains an introduction to near infrared autofluorescence imaging methods. Characteristics of near infrared imaging in a variety of retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, choroidal nevus, retinal degenerations, retinal dystrophies, central serous chorioretinopathy, pseudoxanthoma elasticum and chloroquine retinopathy, are summarized.