Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To describe the morphology of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) tears secondary to age-related macular degeneration by using high-resolution, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: For simultaneous topographic and tomographic in vivo imaging, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography were applied in combination. Retina over the RPE-denuded area was particularly examined for signs of viable photoreceptors. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients (28 eyes) were included in the study. The mean (SD) age of patients was 78 (8) years (age range, 62-91 years). In cases with recent RPE tears, external limiting membrane, photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction, and nonatrophic outer nuclear layer could be identified in the retina on the RPE-denuded area. Intact external limiting membrane, photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction, and nonatrophic outer nuclear layer could be seen in 1 patient for up to 325 days after the RPE tear. In fibrotic older RPE tears, these structures were atrophic. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, signs for viable photoreceptors could be identified for up to 325 days after an RPE tear using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. This finding is important to consider in future therapies aimed at rescuing photoreceptors after RPE tears.
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Authors | Albert Caramoy, Bernd Kirchhof, Sascha Fauser |
Journal | Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
(Arch Ophthalmol)
Vol. 129
Issue 5
Pg. 575-9
(May 2011)
ISSN: 1538-3601 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 21555609
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Cell Survival
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Female
- Fluorescein Angiography
- Humans
- Macular Degeneration
(complications)
- Male
- Microscopy, Confocal
- Middle Aged
- Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate
(pathology)
- Retinal Perforations
(diagnosis, etiology)
- Retinal Pigment Epithelium
(pathology)
- Tomography, Optical Coherence
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