Evaluation of leukocyte-endothelial interactions in retinal diseases.

PURPOSE We reviewed various methodologies for studying leukocyte-retinal endothelial interactions in vivo, and summarized the information obtained from studies employing these methods. PROCEDURES Fluorescence dye-enhanced scanning laser ophthalmoscopy facilitates study of leukocyte-cell interactions in the retinal microcirculation. RESULTS Various methods such as adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AO-SLO), acridine orange digital angiography, and intravital microscopy provided evidence of the mechanisms of leukocyte recruitment in the retina and of their importance in the pathogenesis of various retinal diseases. CONCLUSIONS Leukocyte behavior can be easily examined in the retina in vivo because the optical media is transparent. SLO substantially contributes to visualizing leukocyte-endothelial interactions in retinal vessels, although most of the methods employing SLO could only be used for animal studies. AO-SLO noninvasively demonstrates the movement of each leukocyte in the parafoveal capillaries in humans. Message: AO-SLO could be useful in investigating the leukocyte-retinal endothelial interactions in various diseases in humans.