title: High-resolution imaging of gunn's dots.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In healthy fundi, glistening whitish dots (so-called Gunn's dots) can often be seen, especially in young subjects. They are commonly attributed to the reflectance of Müller cell's footplates. However, despite their potential interest as biomarkers of retinal diseases, Gunn's dots have received little attention in the scientific literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scanning laser ophthalmoscope reflectance imaging and adaptive optics infrared flood imaging were performed in 18 healthy subjects (age range, 18-58 years) to analyze the localization, density, and shape of Gunn's dots.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gunn's dots were more easily observed in the midperipheral retina along temporal vessels, although in two subjects, they could be detected in the macula. The reflectance of Gunn's dots showed a strong directional variability, which paralleled that of the inner limiting membrane. The mean (±SD) diameter of Gunn's dots was 13.3 µm (±3.5). Their density peaked at ∼120 per square millimeter and decreased with age to become barely detectable after 50 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gunn's dots are highly anisotropic structures close to the inner limiting membrane. Their density, size, and age-related decline are closer to the characteristics of hyalocytes than those of Müller cells. Further studies are necessary to progress in the determination of their origin and interest as biomarkers of retinal diseases.
authors: Clinical Investigation Center 1423, INSERM & University Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris6; and *Institut d'Optique Graduoate School, Palaiseau, France.
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Paques
authors: Chahira
authors: C
authors: Miloudi
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: Kulcsar
authors: Alexandre
authors: A
authors: Leseigneur
authors: Céline
authors: C
authors: Chaumette
authors: Edouard
authors: E
authors: Koch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D063928:Ependymoglial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D012160:Retina / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D055815:Young Adult