Objective To observe the dimensions of the capillary blood vessel arch in central fovea of macula and the foveal avascular area (FAZ), and their relationships with age.Methods Retina in macula of 32 cadavers eyes were isolated . Retinal vessels were immunostained by collagen type IV and examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The area and diameter of the FAZ were measured, and the relationship between FAZ and age was analysed. Results The parafoveolar capillary network was observed clearly by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The average area of the FAZ was (0.24±0.13) mm2, and the average diameter was (0.54±0.15) mm. The area and diameter of the FAZ did not show any correlation with age.Conclusions The parafoveolar capillary network could be observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The size of the FAZ does not change with age. The dimensions of the parafoveolar capillary network may not be influenced by age. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：73-75)
Objective To investigate the impact of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin on the expression of pigment epithelial derivative factor (PEDF) mRNA and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in adult retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells in vitro. Methods The changes of cellular viability before and after PDT were assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolum (MTT) colorimetric assay. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to detect the expression of PEDF and VEGF mRNA in RPE cells before and after PDT. Results PDT caused the death of RPE cells. The cellular mortality was positively correlated with the power of photocoagulation and the concentration of verteporfin. Conclusion PDT could downregulate the expression of PEDF and VEGF mRNA in adult RPE cells in vitro, which may relate to the cure or relapse of subfoveal choroidal neovascular membrane after PDT. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 256-260)
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)