Purpose
To identify and quantitatively evaluate age-related changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and underlying Bruch is membrane and choroid in donor human eyes.
Methods
36unpaired human eyes of varying age (3-39 years) from Caucasian donors were supplied by Manchester Eye Bank (UK) or National Disease Research Interchange (Philadephia,USA).Modified Masson is trichrome staining was used to illustrate age-related changes in RPE cell, Bruch is membrane thickness, and density of choriocapillaries and thickness of the choroid. Data were assessed using computer-aided quantitative morphometric analysis method.
ResultsThe thickness of Bruch is membrane increased with age while there is a change in morphology of RPE cells including a decrease in number and RPE cell thickening with age. RPE cells decreased at a rate of 8 cells/mm2 middot; year, RPE cell height and thickness of Bruch is membrane increased at rates of 0.01(mu;m/year) and 0.02 (mu;m/year) respectively. The luminal area of choriocapillaries and the thickness of choroid showed no close relation with age.
Conclusion
RPE cell loss and thickening of Bruch is membrane and RPE cells may be the earlier and primary alteration with age.
(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2000,16:236-239)
