Study to Detect Dendritic Cell Recruitment in Human Retina

This methods development pilot study is intended to determine if human phagocytic cells labeled with the near-infrared dye ICG in the periphery can subsequently be detected in association with retinal pathology in two cohorts of participants: 1) patients with Dry AMD with geographic atrophy (GA), N = 2-6; and 2) patients diagnosed with either mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) or with mild AD, N = 2-6. Conversely, it is hypothesized that these cells will be largely absent in healthy control participants (N = 2-3). For both disease conditions, retinal pathology includes inclusions that contain amyloid plaques, areas of retinal thinning and neuronal loss, damage to the RPE and choroid, and changes in vascular structure. Accumulation of ICG-labeled cells should be seen close to the border(s) of GA in the Dry AMD participants. The imaging results for each participant will be reviewed by the study team to modify the imaging approach for the next participant. A maximum of fifteen (15) subjects will be recruited for participation, and a maximum of 3 of these participants will be healthy control participants without any retinal pathology.