Quantitative comparison of inner and outer retinal intraretinal hyperreflective foci in age-related macular degeneration

IF 3 2区医学 Q1 OPHTHALMOLOGY

Experimental eye research Pub Date : 2025-05-02 DOI:10.1016/j.exer.2025.110415

Maryam Ashrafkhorasani , Rouzbeh Abbasgholizadeh , Abbas Habibi , Mehdi Emamverdi , Muneeswar Gupta Nittala , Mohammad Mahdi Aghayee , Charles C. Wykoff , SriniVas R. Sadda

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

To quantitatively compare the spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) characteristics of inner and outer intraretinal hyperreflective foci (IHRF) in eyes with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and to investigate their potential pathophysiological implications.

This retrospective study included 64 eyes from 64 treatment-naive AMD patients. SD-OCT imaging (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering) was performed using a 20° × 20° macular scan centered on the fovea. Inner IHRF were defined as lesions located above the inner border of the inner nuclear layer, while outer IHRF were situated below the inner border of outer nuclear layer. Semi-automated segmentation and quantitative analysis of IHRF were performed using ImageJ. Parameters analyzed included mean area, normalized mean reflectivity, greatest linear dimension (GLD), and mean circularity.

A total of 32 eyes with 68 inner IHRF and 32 eyes with 113 outer IHRF were included. The mean area of inner and outer IHRF was 887.09 ± 942.63 μm² and 832.27 ± 881.75 μm², respectively (p = 0.69). Normalized reflectivity was 1.18 ± 0.14 for inner IHRF versus 1.20 ± 0.17 for outer IHRF (p = 0.54), and circularity was 0.81 ± 0.19 for inner IHRF versus 0.79 ± 0.20 for outer IHRF (p = 0.71). The mean GLD measured 42.8 ± 35.2 μm for inner IHRF and 45.3 ± 30.4 μm for outer IHRF (mean difference: 2.5 μm, 95 % CI: 7.57 to 12.57; p = 0.595). No statistically significant differences were observed between inner and outer IHRF in any evaluated parameters.

Inner and outer IHRF in AMD share similar quantitative SD-OCT characteristics, suggesting common pathological mechanisms irrespective of retinal location. These findings challenge the notion of distinct cellular origins and highlight the need for further research.

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年龄相关性黄斑变性视网膜内、外视网膜内高反射灶的定量比较

目的定量比较老年性黄斑变性（AMD）患者视网膜内、外高反射灶（IHRF）的光谱域光学相干断层扫描（SD-OCT）特征，探讨其潜在的病理生理意义。本回顾性研究包括64例初治AMD患者的64只眼。采用以中央凹为中心的20°× 20°黄斑扫描进行SD-OCT成像（Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering）。内IHRF定义为位于内核层内边界以上的病变，外IHRF定义为位于外核层内边界以下的病变。使用ImageJ对IHRF进行半自动分割和定量分析。分析的参数包括平均面积、归一化平均反射率、最大线性维数（GLD）和平均圆度。共纳入32只眼，68只眼内IHRF， 32只眼外IHRF， 113只眼。内、外IHRF平均面积分别为887.09±942.63 μm2和832.27±881.75 μm2 （p = 0.69）。内层IHRF归一化反射率为1.18±0.14，外层为1.20±0.17 (p = 0.54)；内层IHRF圆度为0.81±0.19，外层为0.79±0.20 （p = 0.71）。内hrf的GLD平均值为42.8±35.2 μm，外hrf的GLD平均值为45.3±30.4 μm(平均差为2.5 μm, 95% CI: 7.57 ~ 12.57；p = 0.595)。内部和外部IHRF在任何评估参数上均无统计学显著差异。AMD内部和外部IHRF具有相似的定量SD-OCT特征，提示与视网膜位置无关的共同病理机制。这些发现挑战了不同细胞起源的概念，并强调了进一步研究的必要性。

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来源期刊

Experimental eye research 医学-眼科学

CiteScore

6.80

自引率

5.90%

发文量

323

审稿时长

66 days

期刊介绍： The primary goal of Experimental Eye Research is to publish original research papers on all aspects of experimental biology of the eye and ocular tissues that seek to define the mechanisms of normal function and/or disease. Studies of ocular tissues that encompass the disciplines of cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, biophysics, immunology or microbiology are most welcomed. Manuscripts that are purely clinical or in a surgical area of ophthalmology are not appropriate for submission to Experimental Eye Research and if received will be returned without review.