Retinal imaging has advanced to enable noninvasive in vivo visualization of macular photoreceptors with cellular resolution. Images of retinal structure are best interpreted in the context of visual function, but clinical measures of visual function lack resolution on the scale of individual cells. Combined with cross-sectional measures of retinal structure acquired with optical coherence tomography (OCT), macular photoreceptor function can be evaluated using visual acuity and fundus-guided microperimetry, but the resolution of these measures is limited to relatively large retinal areas. By incorporating adaptive optics correction of aberrations in light entering and exiting the pupil, individual photoreceptors can be visualized and stimulated to assess structure and function. Discrepancy between structural images and visual function can shed light on the origin of visible features and their relation to visual function. Dysflective cones, cones with abnormal waveguiding properties on confocal adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) images and measurable function, provide insight into the visual significance of features in retinal images and may facilitate identification of patients who could benefit from therapies.
Keywords: Adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy; Cone photoreceptors; Microperimetry; Optical coherence tomography; Visual acuity.