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Updated: May 31, 2026
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Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Published on: May 26, 2023
Multimodal structure-function mapping of retinal sensitivity loss in pachychoroid spectrum diseases
Seungmo Kim1, Yea Eun Lee2, Ye Eun Han2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
BMC Ophthalmology
|May 29, 2026
Summary
Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) alterations in pachychoroid spectrum disease (PSD) correlate with reduced retinal sensitivity, especially when macular neovascularization (MNV) is present. Near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) aids in identifying these functional deficits.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Imaging
- Choroidal Diseases
Background:
- Pachychoroid spectrum disease (PSD) involves choroidal thickening and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes.
- The functional impact of RPE alterations in inactive PSD requires further clarification.
- Near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) and microperimetry offer insights into retinal structure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate retinal sensitivity characteristics in inactive PSD using NIRAF and microperimetry.
- To correlate RPE alterations identified by NIRAF with localized retinal function.
- To assess the influence of macular neovascularization (MNV) on retinal sensitivity in PSD.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 26 eyes with inactive PSD.
- Identification of RPE alterations via hypoautofluorescent areas on NIRAF images.
- Comparison of mean retinal sensitivity (mRS) inside and outside RPE lesions using microperimetry.
Main Results:
- Significant reduction in mRS within hypoautofluorescent lesions in eyes with MNV (p=0.021).
- A similar, though not statistically significant, trend observed in eyes without MNV.
- MNV status was associated with greater lesion-associated retinal sensitivity reduction (p=0.032).
Conclusions:
- NIRAF-defined RPE alterations are topographically linked to reduced retinal sensitivity in PSD, particularly with concurrent MNV.
- Combined use of NIRAF, microperimetry, and OCT angiography may aid topographic functional assessment in PSD.
- Prospective validation is needed to confirm these findings.
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