Laser speckle flowgraphy in ophthalmology

Laser speckle flowgraphy is a noninvasive method for quantifying perfusion of the retina, choroid, and optic disc. The method is based on the laser speckle phenomenon, which is the speckle pattern visible when vessels are illuminated with an 830 nm diode laser. LSFG Analyzer analyzes the obtained speckle patterns to provide quantitative data on intraocular blood flow. A patient should be physically and emotionally stable and should not eat or drink any stimulating beverages a few hours before the examination. The analysis provides multiple pulse waveform parameters such as blowout score, blowout time skew, acceleration time index, rising rate, falling rate, flow acceleration index, resistivity index, relative flow volume. Laser speckle flowgraphy provides new opportunities for pathogenesis research, diagnosis, and evaluation of the treatment effectiveness for age-related macular degeneration, central serous chorioretinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, ischemic optic neuropathy, optic neuritis, and other diseases of the retina, choroid, and optic disc. In addition, laser speckle flowgraphy is used to assess the effect of physical activity, pregnancy, systemic diseases, and medications on ocular hemodynamics.