Depolarization properties of the optic nerve head: the effect of age.
The degree of polarization (DOP) of the light reflected from the optic nerve head has been assessed by means of a polarimetric scanning laser ophthalmoscope as a function of the age of the participants. Four fundus images corresponding to independent polarization states in the recording pathway were used to compute the spatially-resolved DOP. This was not uniform across the optic nerve head and depended on both the location and the participant's age. Along a peripapillary annulus the DOP followed a double-peak pattern. Moreover, the values along this annulus decreased significantly with increasing age. This depolarization appears to originate in part in the retinal nerve fiber layer. Detailed age-dependent knowledge of the ocular depolarization properties may help to improve clinical diagnosis of the retinal nerve fiber layer.
Laboratorio de Optica (edificio CiOyN), Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30071 Murcia, Spain. bueno@um.es
Juan M
JM
Bueno
Christopher J
CJ
Cookson
Jennifer J
JJ
Hunter
Marsha L
ML
Kisilak
Melanie C W
MC
Campbell
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000502:physiology*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult