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.
Bueno
Juan M
JM
Laboratorio de Optica (edificio CiOyN), Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30071 Murcia, Spain. bueno@um.es
Cookson
Christopher J
CJ
Hunter
Jennifer J
JJ
Kisilak
Marsha L
ML
Campbell
Melanie C W
MC
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