Abstract
Purpose: The relationship between lipid deposition within the sciera, changes in its permeability and lipid deposition in drusen and Bruch's membrane is not well established. We determined the nature of the lipid deposition in aged sciera, and correlated it with changes in Bruch's membrane in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and aging normal eyes. Methods: Full-thickness buttons of the central macula and the periphery of aging human eyes (n=12) and eyes with a history of ARMD (n=1) were fixed in calcium-buffered formalin. Frozen sections were stained with Oil-red-O, Sudan black or were analyzed by hot stage polarizing microscopy. This method allows qualitative determination of individual lipid subtypes within the histologie sections, according to changes in birefringence during the melting process. Results: The sciera in aging normal eyes and eyes with ARMD contained small crystalline deposits after thawing of the frozen sections. On heating, most of the crystals melted to an oil and recrystallized after undercooling. This behavior is characteristic of tissue triglycérides. A rare crystal melted and when cooled formed "maltese crosses" indicating cholesterol ester deposits as well. Triglycérides were not identified within Bruch's membrane or drusen. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify and localize lipid subtypes in-situ within the sciera of aging human eyes. Lipid deposits within the sciera differ qualitatively from those identified within Bruch's membrane and drusen. These observations may be relevant to the pathogenesis of ARMD. Fight for Sight GA95-096; Macula Foundation; Research to Prevent Blindness; Mass Lions Eye Research Fund. none.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S90 |
| Journal | Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - 1997 |
| Externally published | Yes |