Choriocapillaris vascular dropout related to density of drusen in human eyes with early age-related macular degeneration

Robert F Mullins; Micaela N Johnson; Elizabeth A Faidley; Jessica M Skeie; Jian Huang

doi:10.1167/iovs.10-6476

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Choriocapillaris vascular dropout related to density of drusen in human eyes with early age-related macular degeneration

Journal article

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Choriocapillaris vascular dropout related to density of drusen in human eyes with early age-related macular degeneration

Robert F Mullins, Micaela N Johnson, Elizabeth A Faidley, Jessica M Skeie and Jian Huang

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, Vol.52(3), pp.1606-1612

03/01/2011

DOI: 10.1167/iovs.10-6476

PMCID: PMC3101687

PMID: 21398287

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Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common, potentially blinding disease characterized by the presence of extracellular deposits beneath the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Choroidal vascular changes have also been noted in AMD. This study examined the relationship between the choroidal vasculature and extent of drusen and other sub-RPE deposits, the key pathologic landmarks of AMD. Sections of the maculas of 45 human eyes (21 early AMD and 24 age-matched control) were evaluated morphometrically. The cross-sectional area of sub-RPE deposits, vascular density, number of CD45+ leukocytes, and number of "ghost vessels" were determined in a masked fashion and evaluated by regression analysis. In addition, the extramacular vascular density either directly beneath drusen or adjacent to drusen was evaluated in a separate set of donor eyes. The vascular density of the choriocapillaris showed a trend toward decreasing in association with AMD status. By linear regression analysis, vascular density was inversely associated with sub-RPE deposit density (r(2) = 0.22, P < 0.01). The number of ghost vessels was negatively correlated with vascular density (r(2) = 0.55, P < 0.001) and positively correlated with sub-RPE deposit density (r(2) = 0.57, P < 0.001). In morphologic studies of extramacular solitary drusen, vascular density beneath drusen was found to be 45% lower than adjacent to drusen (P < 0.01). These findings support the concept that microvascular changes are related to the pathogenesis of AMD and suggest that vascular endothelial cell loss occurs in association with sub-RPE deposit formation. Whether microvascular events are a cause or consequence of drusen or other deposit formation remains to be determined.

Capillaries - pathology

Retinal Drusen - pathology

Humans

Macular Degeneration - complications

Middle Aged

Choroid - blood supply

Choroidal Neovascularization - etiology

Male

Leukocyte Common Antigens - immunology

Leukocytes - immunology

Retinal Drusen - etiology

Retinal Pigment Epithelium - pathology

Choroidal Neovascularization - pathology

Aged, 80 and over

Endothelium, Vascular - pathology

Female

Aged

Tissue Donors

Macular Degeneration - pathology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Choriocapillaris vascular dropout related to density of drusen in human eyes with early age-related macular degeneration
Creators: Robert F Mullins - Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA. robert-mullins@uiowa.edu
Micaela N Johnson
Elizabeth A Faidley
Jessica M Skeie
Jian Huang
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science, Vol.52(3), pp.1606-1612
DOI: 10.1167/iovs.10-6476
PMID: 21398287
PMCID: PMC3101687
NLM abbreviation: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci
ISSN: 0146-0404
eISSN: 1552-5783
Publisher: United States
Grant note: F32 EY022280 / NEI NIH HHS EY017451 / NEI NIH HHS R01 EY017451 / NEI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 03/01/2011
Academic Unit: Statistics and Actuarial Science; Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Record Identifier: 9983979943702771

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