Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025
Author Spotlight: Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Published on: May 26, 2023
Characterization of age-related macular degeneration in Indian donor eyes
Sudha Priya Soundara Pandi1, Anand Rajendran2, Santhi Radha Krishnan3
1Department of Stem Cell Biology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Dr G. Venkataswamy Eye Research Institute, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India; Centre for Vision Sciences, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast; Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, U.K.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to test the reliability of fundus stereomicroscopy in postmortem eyes to assign severity of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using the Minnesota grading and confirmation by histology using Alabama and Sarks grading scales and to assess the incidence of AMD pathology in donor eyes from a South Indian population.
Methods:
Eyes (199) from 153 donors (55-95 years) after obtaining fundus images were processed for histology. Fundus images were graded according to the Minnesota grading system based on drusen size, area of depigmentation, and atrophy. At least one eye from each donor displaying the AMD phenotypes were subjected to histological examination. The fundus grading was correlated with histology and the stages of AMD assigned for early AMD by the Alabama AMD grading system and for both early and advanced AMD by the Sarks classification.
Results:
Stereoscopic examination of the fundus found that 10 of the 153 donors had features of early AMD and 3 advanced AMD. Following histological examination, one of the early AMD eyes was reclassified as advanced AMD. Early AMD features that were observed on histology included soft drusen (>63 μm), basal laminar deposits, photoreceptor outer segment degeneration, disorganization of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), Bruch's membrane thickening. Advanced AMD features observed in histology are extensive atrophy of RPE, choroidal neovascularization and disciform scar formation.
. Conclusion:
Identification of either early or advanced AMD using stereomicroscopic assessment (SMA) showed high sensitivity and specificity. However, misclassification between AMD stages can occur when only SMA is used.
Insights
Fundus stereomicroscopy shows high accuracy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) detection but can misclassify stages. Histology confirmation is crucial for precise AMD staging in postmortem eyes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pathology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults.
- Accurate staging of AMD is critical for understanding disease progression and for clinical trials.
- Postmortem eye analysis provides a valuable resource for studying AMD pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability of fundus stereomicroscopy (SMA) for grading age-related macular degeneration (AMD) severity in postmortem eyes.
- To compare SMA grading with histological confirmation using Alabama and Sarks grading scales.
- To determine the incidence of AMD pathology in a South Indian donor eye population.
Main Methods:
- 199 postmortem eyes from 153 donors (aged 55-95 years) underwent fundus imaging and stereomicroscopic assessment (SMA).
- Fundus images were graded using the Minnesota system (drusen size, depigmentation, atrophy).
- Histological examination confirmed AMD phenotypes, correlating SMA findings with Alabama and Sarks classifications.
Main Results:
- SMA identified early AMD in 10 donors and advanced AMD in 3 donors.
- Histology reclassified one case of early AMD to advanced AMD.
- Histological features of early AMD included soft drusen, basal laminar deposits, and RPE disorganization; advanced AMD showed RPE atrophy and choroidal neovascularization.
Conclusions:
- Stereomicroscopic assessment (SMA) demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for identifying early and advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- However, SMA alone can lead to misclassification of AMD stages.
- Histological correlation is essential for accurate AMD staging in postmortem eyes.
More Related Videos
10:24Regenerative Therapy by Suprachoroidal Cell Autograft in Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration: Preliminary In Vivo Report
Published on: February 12, 2018
05:14Author Spotlight: Overcoming Anti-VEGF Resistance Through Advanced Vascular Morphology Assessment in Choroidal Neovascularization
Published on: August 11, 2023