A morphometric analysis of age-related changes in the RPE, Bruch's membrane and choroid of human eyes / 中华眼底病杂志

ABSTRACT

Purpose To identify and quantitatively evaluate age related changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and underlying Bruchs membrane and choroid in donor human eyes. Methods 36unpaired human eyes of varying age (3～93 years) from Caucasian donors were supplied by Manchester Eye Bank (UK) or National Disease Research Interchange (Philadephia,USA).Modified Massons trichrome staining was used to illustrate age related changes in RPE cell, Bruchs membrane thickness, and density of choriocapillaries and thickness of the choroid. Data were assessed using computer aided quantitative morphometric analysis method. Results The thickness of Bruchs 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/mm 2?year, RPE cell height and thickness of Bruchs membrane increased at rates of 0.01(?m/year) and 0.02 (?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s membrane and RPE cells may be the earlier and primary alteration with age.