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.
Department of Ophthalmology, New York University, Medical Center, New York 10016.
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Greenstein
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Hood
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Ritch
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Steinberger
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Carr
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