Abstract: Fundus autofluorescence imaging being used more and more widely, it is necessary to detailed review the associated fluorophore, lipofuscin. Due to the different sources of substances in phagocytosis and degradation, the composition of lipofuscin varies among different types of cells. This article focuses on the production, chemical composition, physical properties, pathological effects of lipofuscin in retinal pigment epithelium, as well as the generation of short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence related to lipofuscin. It is believed that systematical review and elaboration on each of these aspects are be of great benefit for in-depth understanding of short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence imaging.

Key words: lipofuscin, retinal pigment epithelium, fundus autofluorescence imaging