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Bruch's membrane age-related changes vary by region
D A Newsome1, W Huh, W R Green
1Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
Current Eye Research
|October 1, 1987
Summary
Aging of Bruch's membrane, linked to vision issues, shows regional differences. Peripheral thickening occurs earlier than macular thickening, with increased material deposition in older individuals.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Histology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Aging of Bruch's membrane is implicated in drusen formation and retinal pigment epithelial changes.
- Limited information exists regarding age-related alterations in the peripheral Bruch's membrane.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the histochemical and ultrastructural changes in Bruch's membrane with aging.
- To determine the regional differences and timing of these age-related changes.
Main Methods:
- Histochemical analysis of Bruch's membrane from 31 postmortem donor eyes.
- Ultrastructural morphometric analysis of Bruch's membrane from 22 donor eyes.
- Examination of tissue from donors aged 12 days to 80 years.
Main Results:
- Increased PAS, Weigert's elastin, and Alcian blue staining observed in donors over 46 years.
- Macular regions showed greater histochemical reactivity for glycoconjugates, glycosaminoglycans, collagen, and elastin in older donors.
- Bruch's membrane thickening initiated in the periphery (ages 10-45) before the macula (over 45), with deposition in the inner collagenous zone.
Conclusions:
- Confirms and expands understanding of the timing, regional patterns, and extent of age-related changes in Bruch's membrane.
- Suggests specific regional and zonal predilections for age-related structural modifications in Bruch's membrane.