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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
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Multimodal Volumetric Retinal Imaging by Oblique Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy (oSLO) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
Published on: August 4, 2018
Summary
Lange's fold, a postmortem artifact in infant eyes, results from vitreous traction on the retina. This artifact is absent in fetal eyes and older humans due to retinal changes with age.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pathology
- Pediatric Pathology
Background:
- Lange's fold is a recognized postmortem artifact observed in infant eyes.
- Its pathogenesis and age-related prevalence are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and characteristics of Lange's fold in human and non-human primate eyes.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms contributing to the formation of this artifact.
Main Methods:
- Examination of enucleated eyes from human infants and young monkeys obtained postmortem.
- Comparison with fetal monkey eyes preserved immediately after cesarean section.
- Histopathological analysis to assess retinal changes.
Main Results:
- Lange's fold was present in young human and monkey eyes but absent in fetal monkey eyes.
- The artifact is attributed to vitreous base and lens zonule traction on the peripheral retina.
- Peripheral cystoid retinal degeneration was observed, increasing with age and present in most by 8 years.
Conclusions:
- Lange's fold is a postmortem artifact specific to younger individuals, linked to vitreous-retinal adhesion.
- Age-related changes, including photoreceptor loss and retinal fixation, prevent its development in older humans.
- Peripheral cystoid retinal degeneration is a common finding in developing human eyes.
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