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)
Objective To investigate the relationship between lipid deposition in the Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cells and age,and characteristics of lipid deposition in the age-related macular degeneration(AMD). Methods Thirty-two normal eyes from dead people aged 20 days to 84 years and 2 AMD eyes from corpses were examined by using histochemistry stains to identify characteristics of lipid depositi on in the Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cells. Results In the normal eyes,lipid deposition in the Bruch's membrane increased with aging,especially in the macular region.The main composition of the lipid deposition was neutral lipid.AMD eyes were more intensively stained than normal aged eyes,especially in the macular region. Conclusion Lipid deposition distributed in the same regions both in normal and AMD eyes in the elderly,which may play an important role in the aging process and the development of AMD.Stain of RPE increasing with aging may reflect the deposition of lipofuscin in the cells. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1999,15:84-87)