S (blue) cone pathway vulnerability in retinitis pigmentosa, diabetes and glaucoma.
A variety of retinal disease lead to a decrease in the sensitivity of the S (blue) cone pathways. To determine the possible sites and mechanisms of this loss we compared the sensitivities of an S (blue/pi-1) and an M (green/pi-4) cone pathway in patients with retinal diseases that differ as to their primary locus of sensitivity loss. The sensitivities of an S and an M cone pathway were assessed in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and open-angle glaucoma using Stiles two-color increment threshold technique. A greater loss in sensitivity of an S than an M cone pathway was found for all three disease groups; however, the diabetic patients showed a more selective loss. The results suggest that multiple sites are involved and that the combined effects of metabolic abnormalities and hypoxia contribute to the selective loss.
Greenstein
V C
VC
Department of Ophthalmology, New York University, Medical Center, New York 10016.
Hood
D C
DC
Ritch
R
R
Steinberger
D
D
Carr
R E
RE
D000221:Adaptation, Ocular; D000328:Adult; D003119:Color Perception Tests; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014792:Visual Acuity