Abstract
Purpose. To further elucidate the mechanisms of action of grid laser therapy for diffuse diabetic macular oedema and laser treatment for soft drusen in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Grid laser treatment for diffuse diabetic macular oedema is a well recognised mode of treatment and recently it has been shown that just a few laser burns can lead to the disappearance of confluent soft macular drusen in eyes with AMD. Age-related lipid deposits at the level of Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium are considered a predisposing factor for the development of drusen in AMD. Furthermore the age-related accumulation of lipid components may explain why maturity onset diabetics are more prone to develop long standing macular oedema than iuvenile onset diabetics. Methods. Donor eyes and eyes with a large peripheral choroidal melanoma due for enucleation in patients older than 45 years were lasered with a near infra-red diode laser (810 nm) in the macular region. Laser settings were to produce a visible greyish threshold bun of 125 or 200 microns spot size. Frozen sections of Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium for lightmicroscopy were stained with oil-red-O. Results. Lipid components of Bruch's membrane stained with oil-red-O. In areas treated with diode laser irradiation there was a change in the appearance of tissue staining with oil-red-O within Bruch's membrane. Conclusions. Accumulating lipid components within Bruch's membrane may interfere with transport of fluid and debris from the sensory retina towards the choroid. Laser induced changes of these lipid components may restore active transport mechanisms from the retina to the choroid.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | S131 |
| Journal | Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science |
| Volume | 37 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - 15 Feb 1996 |
| Externally published | Yes |
