scholarly journals Functionally Assessing the Age-Related Decline in the Detection Rate of Photons by Cone Photoreceptors

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asma Braham chaouche ◽  
Maryam Rezaei ◽  
Daphné Silvestre ◽  
Angelo Arleo ◽  
Rémy Allard

Age-related decline in visual perception is usually attributed to optical factors of the eye and neural factors. However, the detection of light by cones converting light into neural signals is a crucial intermediate processing step of vision. Interestingly, a novel functional approach can evaluate many aspects of the visual system including the detection of photons by cones. This approach was used to investigate the underlying cause of age-related visual decline and found that the detection rate of cones was considerably affected with healthy aging. This functional test enabling to evaluate the detection of photons by cones could be particularly useful to screen for retinal pathologies affecting cones such as age-related macular degeneration. However, the paradigm used to functionally measure the detection of photons was complex as it was evaluating many other properties of the visual system. The aim of the current mini review is to clarify the underlying rationale of functionally evaluating the detection of photons by cones, describe a simpler approach to evaluate it, and review the impact of aging on the detection rate of cones.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Astrup ◽  
Hellas Cena ◽  
Balz Frei ◽  
Nahla C Hwalla

Abstract Micronutrients are involved in nearly all cellular processes, inadequacies or deficiencies may accelerate cellular aging and increase risk for chronic diseases later in life.1 Optimizing micronutrient intake may help reduce the risk for developing certain age-related conditions/diseases, including osteopenia/osteoporosis,2 sarcopenia,3 falls,4 mild cognitive impairment,5 immunosenescence,6 impaired resilience,7 hypertension,8 cataracts,9 and age-related macular degeneration.10 The importance of calcium and vitamin D for maintaining bone health has been established,2 but these micronutrients may also be involved with muscle health and reducing the risk for falls and consequent bone fractures in later life.11 Vitamin D may also be involved in stress management and resilience.12 Vitamins C, D, and E, zinc, selenium, and other micronutrients are necessary for healthy immune system function,13,14 and vitamin E is important for cognition,15 immune competence,16 and eye health.10 Although these micronutrients are individually involved with these processes by acting as antioxidants, hormonal regulators of gene expression, or cofactors in enzymatic reactions, there are also important interactions between micronutrients to consider (eg, calcium/vitamin D in musculoskeletal health). Importantly, a significant proportion of the aging population does not meet the recommended intake of many micronutrients.17 Clinical trials on the benefits of micronutrient supplementation have not been conclusive, but adequate intake should be considered an essential component of comprehensive healthcare for older adults. References 1. Ames BN. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006;103:17589–94 2. Nieves JW. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005;81:1232s-9s 3. Stockton KA, et al. Osteoporos Int. 2011;22:859–71 4. Shahar D, et al. Ann Nutr Metab. 2009;54:59–66 5. Barnes JL, et al. Nutr Rev. 2014;72:707–19 6. Cabrera AJ. Pathobiol Aging Age Relat Dis. 2015;5:25592 7. Rucklidge JJ, Blampied NM. NZ J Psychol. 2011;40:51–7 8. de Paula TP, et al. Sci Rep. 2017;7:40751 9. Weikel KA, et al. Nutr Rev. 2014;72:30–47 10. Evans JR, Lawrenson JG. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;7:CD000254 11. Robinson SM, et al. Clin Nutr. 2018;37:1121–32 12. Bracha HS, et al. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2004;12:544–5 13. Puertollano MA, et al. Curr Top Med Chem. 2011;11:1752–66 14. Prietl B, et al. Nutrients. 2013;5:2502–21 15. Parker RS. In: Stipanuk MH, Caudill MA, eds. Biochemical, Physiological, and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders; 2013:670–82 16. Maijo M, et al. Mech Ageing Dev. 2014;136–137:116–28 17. Bugel S, Frei B. Care Weekly. 2019;3:1–12


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Vanhunsel ◽  
Steven Bergmans ◽  
An Beckers ◽  
Isabelle Etienne ◽  
Jolien Van houcke ◽  
...  

AbstractWorldwide, people are getting older, and this prolonged lifespan unfortunately also results in an increased prevalence of age-related neurodegenerative diseases, contributing to a diminished life quality of elderly. Age-associated neuropathies typically include diseases leading to dementia (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease), as well as eye diseases such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. Despite many research attempts aiming to unravel aging processes and their involvement in neurodegeneration and functional decline, achieving healthy brain aging remains a challenge. The African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri) is the shortest-lived reported vertebrate that can be bred in captivity and displays many of the aging hallmarks that have been described for human aging, which makes it a very promising biogerontology model. As vision decline is an important hallmark of aging as well as a manifestation of many neurodegenerative diseases, we performed a comprehensive characterization of this fish’s aging visual system. Our work reveals several aging hallmarks in the killifish retina and brain that eventually result in a diminished visual performance. Moreover, we found evidence for the occurrence of neurodegenerative events in the old killifish retina. Altogether, we introduce the visual system of the fast-aging killifish as a valuable model to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying aging in the vertebrate central nervous system. These findings put forward the killifish for target validation as well as drug discovery for rejuvenating or neuroprotective therapies ensuring healthy aging.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Krytkowska ◽  
Aleksandra Grabowicz ◽  
Katarzyna Mozolewska-Piotrowska ◽  
Zofia Ulańczyk ◽  
Krzysztof Safranow ◽  
...  

AbstractDisturbances in choroidal microcirculation may lead to the onset and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We aimed to assess changes in the choroidal volume and thickness in the macular region in AMD eyes and to investigate whether coexisting vascular risk factors alter choroidal status. We enrolled 354 AMD patients (175 dry, 179 wet AMD) and 121 healthy controls. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination and assessment of choroidal thickness and volume. A multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, and smoking status revealed that wet AMD was an independent factor associated with higher average thickness of the central ring area (ATC) and average volume of the central ring area (AVC) and lower choroidal vascularity index (CVI) compared to controls (β =  + 0.18, p = 0.0007, β =  + 0.18, p = 0.0008, respectively) and to dry AMD (β =  + 0.17, p = 0.00003 for both ATC and AVC and β =  − 0.30 p < 0.0001 for CVI). ATC, AVC and average volume (AV) were lower in AMD patients with hypertension and ischaemic heart disease (IHD). The duration of hypertension was inversely correlated with ATC, AVC and AV (Rs =  − 0.13, p < 0.05; Rs =  − 0.12; p < 0.05, Rs =  − 0.12; p < 0.05, respectively) while IHD duration negatively correlated with AV (Rs =  − 0.15, p < 0.05). No such associations were observed in the control group. Our findings show that the choroidal vascular system in eyes with AMD is much more susceptible to damage in the presence than in the absence of systemic vascular disease.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Annamaria Tisi ◽  
Marco Feligioni ◽  
Maurizio Passacantando ◽  
Marco Ciancaglini ◽  
Rita Maccarone

The blood retinal barrier (BRB) is a fundamental eye component, whose function is to select the flow of molecules from the blood to the retina and vice-versa, and its integrity allows the maintenance of a finely regulated microenvironment. The outer BRB, composed by the choriocapillaris, the Bruch’s membrane, and the retinal pigment epithelium, undergoes structural and functional changes in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness worldwide. BRB alterations lead to retinal dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Several risk factors have been associated with AMD onset in the past decades and oxidative stress is widely recognized as a key factor, even if the exact AMD pathophysiology has not been exactly elucidated yet. The present review describes the BRB physiology, the BRB changes occurring in AMD, the role of oxidative stress in AMD with a focus on the outer BRB structures. Moreover, we propose the use of cerium oxide nanoparticles as a new powerful anti-oxidant agent to combat AMD, based on the relevant existing data which demonstrated their beneficial effects in protecting the outer BRB in animal models of AMD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manjot Kaur Grewal ◽  
Shruti Chandra ◽  
Alan Bird ◽  
Glen Jeffery ◽  
Sobha Sivaprasad

AbstractTo evaluate the effect of aging, intra- and intersession repeatability and regional scotopic sensitivities in healthy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) eyes. Intra- and intersession agreement and effect of age was measured in healthy individuals. The mean sensitivity (MS) and pointwise retinal sensitivities (PWS) within the central 24° with 505 nm (cyan) and 625 nm (red) stimuli were evaluated in 50 individuals (11 healthy and 39 AMD eyes). The overall intra- and intersession had excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC > 0.90) and tests were highly correlated (Spearman rs = 0.75–0.86). Eyes with subretinal drusenoid deposit (SDD) had reduced PWS centrally, particularly at inferior and nasal retinal locations compared with controls and intermediate AMD (iAMD) without SDD. There was no difference in MS or PWS at any retinal location between iAMD without SDD and healthy individuals nor between iAMD with SDD and non-foveal atrophic AMD groups. Eyes with SDD have reduced rod function compared to iAMD without SDD and healthy eyes, but similar to eyes with non-foveal atrophy. Our results highlight rod dysfunction is not directly correlated with drusen load and SDD location.


Author(s):  
Luciano Mesquite Simmo ◽  
Carissa Fouad Ibrahim ◽  
Senice Alvarenga Rodrigues Silva ◽  
Thai Nunes Andrade ◽  
Doora Faleiros Leite ◽  
...  

Objective: To compare the vision-targeted health related quality of life (HRQOL) between neuro-ophthalmological patients and other eye diseases by the National Eye Institute 25-Item Visual Function Questionnaire. Methods: Cross sectional study with a control group and patients with the following pathologies: primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), intracranial hypertension (IH), optic neuritis (ON), ptosis and cataract. Results: All comparisons of the subscales scores among the control group and the patient groups were statistically significant (p<0.05) except for “ocular pain” (p=0.160), “social functioning” (p=0.052) and “peripheral vision” (p=0.112). The control group had the best scores across all dimensions of the NEI VFQ-25. Interestingly, the ARMD and cataract groups presented the best and worst total scores of NEI VFQ-25, respectively. The lowest subscales scores were found in the cataract, in the NAION/ON, and in the POAG groups. Finally, the comparison between the NAION/ON/IH patients and the other eye diseases did not show statistical significance in any subscale. Conclusion: The NEI VFQ-25 showed the impact of various eye conditions in vision-targeted HRQOL, and no difference was measured between neuro-ophthalmological patients and other eye diseases


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2S11) ◽  
pp. 3637-3640

Retinal vessels ID means to isolate the distinctive retinal configuration issues, either wide or restricted from fundus picture foundation, for example, optic circle, macula, and unusual sores. Retinal vessels recognizable proof investigations are drawing in increasingly more consideration today because of pivotal data contained in structure which is helpful for the identification and analysis of an assortment of retinal pathologies included yet not restricted to: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, hypertension, and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). With the advancement of right around two decades, the inventive methodologies applying PC supported systems for portioning retinal vessels winding up increasingly significant and coming nearer. Various kinds of retinal vessels segmentation strategies discussed by using Deep Learning methods. At that point, the pre-processing activities and the best in class strategies for retinal vessels distinguishing proof are presented.


Retina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelvin Yi Chong Teo ◽  
Vuong Nguyen ◽  
Chui Ming Gemmy Cheung ◽  
Jennifer J Arnold ◽  
Fred K. Chen ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. bjophthalmol-2019-315717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Liakopoulos ◽  
Georg Spital ◽  
Christian K Brinkmann ◽  
Tina Schick ◽  
Focke Ziemssen ◽  
...  

Background/aimsThe prospective, non-interventional ORCA module of the OCEAN study (Observation of Treatment Patterns with Lucentis in Approved Indications) evaluated the qualiy of spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) image interpretation and treatment decisions by clinicians in Germany and the impact on visual outcomes over 24 months in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).Methods2286 SD-OCT scans of 205 eyes were independently evaluated by clinicians and reading centres (RCs) regarding signs of choroidal neovascularisation (CNV) activity, including presence of intraretinal fluid, subretinal fluid, and/or increase in pigment epithelial detachments. Agreement between clinicians and RCs was calculated. Treatment decisions by clinicians and the impact on treatment outcomes were evaluated.ResultsCNV activity was detected by RCs on 1578 scans (69.0%) and by clinicians on 1392 scans (60.9%), with agreement in 74.9% of cases. Of the 1578 scans with RC detected CNV activity, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections were performed by clinicians in only 35.5% (560/1578). In 19.7% of cases (311/1578), lack of treatment was justified by patients request, termination criteria or chronic cystoid spaces without other signs for CNV activity. In 44.8% of cases (707/1578) with RC detected CNV activity, clinicians claimed no treatment was necessary despite having correctly detected CNV activity in about 2/3 of these cases. In 34% of cases with presumed undertreatment, visual acuity declined in the following visit.ConclusionAlthough broad agreement on CNV activity parameters was observed between clinicians and RCs, correct identification of CNV activity did not always lead to the initiation of (re-)treatment. To preserve vision over time, correct interpretation of SD-OCT scans and careful retreatment decisions are required.Trial registration numberNCT02194803.


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