Characterization of Peripapillary Atrophy Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To characterize the features of peripapillary atrophy (PPA), as imaged by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: SD-OCT imaging of the optic disc was performed on healthy eyes, eyes suspected of having glaucoma, and eyes diagnosed with glaucoma. From the peripheral beta-zone, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), the junction of the inner and outer segments (IS/OS) of the photoreceptor layer, and the Bruch's membrane/retinal pigment epithelium complex layer (BRL) were visualized. RESULTS: Nineteen consecutive eyes of 10 subjects were imaged. The RNFL was observed in the PPA beta-zone of all eyes, and no eye showed an IS/OS complex in the beta-zone. The BRL was absent in the beta-zone of two eyes. The BRL was incomplete or showed posterior bowing in the beta-zone of five eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The common findings in the PPA beta-zone were that the RNFL was present, but the photoreceptor layer was absent. Presence of the BRL was variable in the beta-zone areas.

Age-related changes in the macula. A histopathological study of fifty Indian donor eyes.

PURPOSE: Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is clinically less common in India compared to the West. Therefore, clinicians are unfamiliar with histopathologic evidence of age-related macular changes in the Indian population. METHODS: Fifty consecutive human donor eyes removed for corneal grafting were studied for gross, microscopic and histochemical features of age-related changes in the macula in the Indian population. A horizontal block was cut from the globe including the optic disc, and the macula. Six sections, 6 microns thick, were cut from three levels in the macula at a distance of 140 microns. These were stained with haemotoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, Mallory, Masson trichrome, alcian blue and von Kossa stains. The presence of basal laminar deposits, drusen and thickening and calcification of Bruch's membrane in the macula were assessed at 400 x magnification using a modified version of Sark's classification. RESULTS: Twenty-four donor eyes (48%) had some form of age-related macular change. These included basal laminar deposits, hard drusen, soft drusen, extensive retinal pigment epithelium atrophy of the macula, and disciform degeneration of macula. A combination of changes was often seen. Age-related changes were more common in the seventh and eighth decade. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that histological changes characteristic of the early stages of age-related macular degeneration are fairly common in the Indian population. However, advanced macular changes are significantly rare.

Síndrome de Gronblad-Strandberg: análise de 4 casos / Gronblad-Strandberg Syndrome: a four-case analysis

Os autores relatam quatro casos de estrias angióides associadas com pseudoxantoma elástico (Síndrome de Gronblad-Strandberg) diagnosticados no Serviço de Oftalmologia do HCPA. Discutem as alteraçöes sistêmicas encontradas e enfatizam a importância do diagnóstico precoce e do acompanhamento oftalmológico destes pacientes.