Layered-resolved autofluorescence imaging of photo-receptors using two-photon excitation

摘要

In this paper, we present our investigation on the morphological and autofluorescence char-acteristics of the cones and rods using two- photon excitation with a femtosecond Ti: sap-phire laser. The results show that the micro-structures of the photoreceptor layers can be visualized at submicron level without any stain- ing or slicing. The morphology and spatial dis-tribution of the cones and rods can be resolved by autofluorescence imaging. The autofluores-cence in the photoreceptor outer segments is much stronger than other layers, but suscepti-ble to light-induced damage.