Imaging polarimetry in age-related macular degeneration.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the birefringence properties of eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). To compare the information from two techniques--scanning laser polarimetry (GDx) and polarization-sensitive spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT)--and investigate how they complement each other.


METHODS
The authors prospectively examined the eyes of two healthy subjects and 13 patients with exudative AMD. Using scanning laser polarimetry, they computed phase-retardation maps, average reflectance images, and depolarized light images. To obtain polarimetry information with improved axial resolution, they developed a fiber-based, polarization-sensitive, spectral-domain OCT system and measured the phase retardation associated with birefringence in the same eyes.


RESULTS
Both GDx and polarization-sensitive spectral-domain optical coherence tomography detected abnormal birefringence at the locus of exudative lesions. Polarization-sensitive, spectral-domain OCT showed that in the old lesions with fibrosis, phase-retardation values were significantly larger than in the new lesions (P = 0.020). Increased scattered light and altered polarization scramble were associated with portions of the lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
GDx and polarization-sensitive spectral-domain OCT are complementary in probing birefringence properties in exudative AMD. Polarimetry findings in exudative AMD emphasized different features and were related to the progression of the disease, potentially providing a noninvasive tool for microstructure in exudative AMD.
Computational Optics and Ophthalmology Group, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. m-miura@tokyo-med.ac.jp
Masahiro
M
Miura
Masahiro
M
Yamanari
Takuya
T
Iwasaki
Ann E
AE
Elsner
Shuichi
S
Makita
Toyohiko
T
Yatagai
Yoshiaki
Y
Yasuno
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001718:Birefringence; D020256:Choroidal Neovascularization / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology*; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods
D017319:Photosensitizing Agents