AAOpt 2025: Dr Mohammad Rafieetary previews what's in store for retina at the conference

Mohammad Rafieetary, OD, FAAO, FORS, Dipl ABO, ABCMO, of the Charles Ratner Institute, provides an in-depth overview of 2 presentations he will be delivering at the upcoming Academy 2025 meeting in Boston, Massachusetts, focusing on advanced ophthalmological imaging techniques and retinal case studies. The first presentation centers on fundus autofluorescence (FAF), a noninvasive imaging technique with a long historical background. Initially, FAF was considered minimally useful, often producing dark, clinically insignificant images during fluorescein angiography. However, the introduction of scanning laser ophthalmoscopes dramatically transformed the technique's potential and perception.

Rafieetary initially approached FAF with skepticism but gradually recognized its substantial clinical applicability. The technique gained significant attention in the 2020s, particularly with the emergence of treatments for geographic atrophy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Despite its growing importance, many practitioners remain unfamiliar with or hesitant to utilize FAF due to limited understanding. Rafieetary's lecture aims to demystify FAF by demonstrating its practical applications across various disease states. He will explore how the natural fluorescence of the retinal pigment epithelium can provide critical diagnostic insights, showing how variations in fluorescence can indicate different pathological conditions.

The second presentation is a collaborative, rapid-fire retina case discussion featuring distinguished colleagues: Barbara Mihalik, OD, FAAO, from Ohio State University; Roya Attar, OD, MBA, DHA, from the University of Mississippi; and Rachel Steele, OD, FAAO, from the Charles Retina Institute. This session will feature 4 to 5 complex cases covering diverse retinal conditions. Rafieetary will personally present on sclerocolor calcification. Other presentations include Steele discussing white dot syndrome, Mihalik exploring acute retinal necrosis, and Attar presenting a unique case of peripheral retinal hemorrhage.

The overarching goal of these presentations is to provide ophthalmology professionals with practical, actionable insights into advanced diagnostic techniques and complex retinal pathologies. By sharing detailed case studies and technical expertise, Rafieetary and his colleagues aim to enhance clinical understanding and potentially improve patient care strategies.