Inner Plexiform Layer Substrata Are Discernible with Commercial OCT and Affected by Aging

IF 3.2 Q1 OPHTHALMOLOGY

Ophthalmology science Pub Date : 2025-04-28 DOI:10.1016/j.xops.2025.100815

Victor S.M.C. Correa MD , Maria Emfietzoglou MD , Gustavo Sakuno MD, PhD , Rosanne Naafs MSc , Joan W. Miller MD , Alexander Charonis MD , Demetrios G. Vavvas MD, PhD

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the inner plexiform layer (IPL) microstructure and its changes with aging using commercial spectral-domain OCT macular scans of healthy individuals with a semiautomated segmentation program.

Design

Cross-sectional study conducted at the Athens Vision Eye Institute from January to July 2024.

Participants

The study included 92 healthy participants.

Methods

OCT images were captured with the Optovue Avanti SD-OCT and processed using ImageJ to measure thickness and analyze the hyperreflective and hyporeflective bands within the IPL. Information about signal intensity, microstructure, and contrast between these sublayers was obtained. Statistical analyses, including Spearman correlation and linear regression, assessed relationships between age and IPL extracted features. Intraeye and intereye repeatability were evaluated using paired samples t tests combined with bootstrap analyses.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcomes measured were signal intensity of the IPL, contrast between its hyperreflective and hyporeflective bands, and the percentage of IPL with identifiable sublayers. The secondary outcomes included inner retinal thickness measurements, including the IPL, nerve fiber layer (NFL), and ganglion cell complex (GCC).

Results

The IPL exhibited a multilayered structure with 5 sublayers, 3 hyperreflective and 2 hyporeflective, arranged in an alternating pattern. Aging was associated with higher signal intensity from hyporeflective bands and minimal changes in hyperreflective bands, resulting in an overall reduced contrast between the 5 sublayers. Older participants showed a lower percentage of IPL with identifiable sublayers, along with a lower contrast variance within the IPL. Aging also correlated with reduced inner retinal thickness, including the IPL, NFL, and GCC, with a stronger association for the IPL. Inner plexiform layer analysis exhibited high intraeye and intereye repeatability, with significant correlations and nonsignificant mean differences observed in most key parameters.

Conclusions

Analysis of the IPL and its sublayers is both feasible and reproducible using commercially available OCT along with a semiautomated segmentation program. Our findings indicate that the IPL microstructure changes with aging. A comprehensive evaluation of the IPL could serve as a valuable biomarker for early diagnosis and monitoring of diseases affecting synaptic health in this layer.

Financial Disclosure(s)

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

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商业OCT可识别内丛状层基底，并受老化影响

目的应用半自动化分割程序，利用商用光谱域OCT黄斑扫描，研究黄斑内丛状层（IPL）微结构及其随年龄的变化。2024年1月至7月在雅典视觉眼科研究所进行的横断面研究。参与者该研究包括92名健康参与者。方法利用Optovue Avanti SD-OCT采集光学断层扫描图像，利用ImageJ对其进行处理，测量厚度，分析IPL内的高反射带和低反射带。获得了这些子层之间的信号强度、微观结构和对比度的信息。统计分析，包括Spearman相关和线性回归，评估年龄与IPL提取特征之间的关系。使用配对样本t检验结合bootstrap分析评估眼内和眼间重复性。主要结果测量的主要结果是IPL的信号强度，其高反射带和低反射带之间的对比，以及IPL具有可识别亚层的百分比。次要结果包括视网膜内厚度测量，包括IPL、神经纤维层（NFL）和神经节细胞复合体（GCC）。结果IPL呈多层结构，有5个亚层，3个高反射层，2个低反射层，交错排列。老化与低反射带的信号强度升高和高反射带的变化最小有关，导致5个亚层之间的对比度总体降低。年龄较大的参与者显示出较低百分比的IPL具有可识别的亚层，以及较低的IPL内的对比度方差。衰老也与视网膜内厚度减少相关，包括IPL、NFL和GCC，其中与IPL的关联更强。内丛状层分析具有较高的眼内和眼间重复性，在大多数关键参数中观察到显著相关和不显著的平均差异。结论使用市售OCT和半自动分割程序对IPL及其子层进行分析是可行和可重复的。结果表明，IPL的显微组织随时效而变化。综合评价IPL可作为早期诊断和监测影响该层突触健康的疾病的有价值的生物标志物。财务披露专有或商业披露可在本文末尾的脚注和披露中找到。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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