High-Resolution OCT Reveals Age-Associated Variation in the Region Posterior to the External Limiting Membrane

Jamil MU, Won J, Ploner SB, Marmalidou A, Takahashi H, Kaiser S, Hwang Y, Abu-Qamar O, Yaghy A, Witkin AJ, Zhao PY, Desai S, Duker JS, Maier A, Fujimoto JG, Waheed NK (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Translational Vision Science & Technology Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)

Book Volume: 14

Pages Range: 16-

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1167/tvst.14.1.16

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate visibility of a sub-band posterior to the external limiting membrane (ELM) and assess its age-associated variation. Methods: In a retrospective cross-sectional study, normal eyes were imaged using a high-resolution spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) prototype (2.7-µm axial resolution). Volume fusion of six sequential scans (each 500 × 500 A-scans over 6 mm × 6 mm) was performed in the motion correction and volume reconstruction in OCT (MoReOCT) framework to enhance feature visibility in OCT. The subjects were divided into three groups: young (21-40 years old), middle (41-60 years old), and older (>60 years old). Three expert graders assessed the visibility of the sub-band on B-scans, and its A-scan intensity relative to ELM intensity (peak intensity ratio) was measured. Results: Forty-four eyes of 44 subjects were imaged. The sub-band, tentatively attributed to the photoreceptor myoid, can be visualized under high-resolution OCT. The B-scan gradings showed that sub-band visibility increased with age (visible in 16.7%, 47.2%, and 66.7% of the young, middle, and older age groups, respectively). The gradings were statistically different among age groups at 1 mm and 2 mm nasal and 1 mm and 2 mm temporal (P < 0.04) from the foveal center. Similarly, the mean peak intensity ratios of the sub-band to the ELM were 71.6%, 77.5%, and 85.2% in the young, middle, and older age groups, respectively, and were positively correlated with age at 1 mm temporal (P = 0.012) and 2 mm temporal (P < 0.001). Conclusions: High-resolution OCT, combined with advanced volume fusion, enables visualization of the photoreceptor myoid and investigation of its age-associated variations. Translational Relevance: Investigating the sub-band can advance our understanding of photoreceptors and their association with aging and disease pathogenesis.

Authors with CRIS profile

Andreas Maier Lehrstuhl für Informatik 5 (Mustererkennung)

Involved external institutions

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) US United States (USA) (US) New England Eye Center US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Jamil, M.U., Won, J., Ploner, S.B., Marmalidou, A., Takahashi, H., Kaiser, S.,... Waheed, N.K. (2025). High-Resolution OCT Reveals Age-Associated Variation in the Region Posterior to the External Limiting Membrane. Translational Vision Science & Technology, 14(1), 16-. https://doi.org/10.1167/tvst.14.1.16

MLA:

Jamil, Muhammad Usman, et al. "High-Resolution OCT Reveals Age-Associated Variation in the Region Posterior to the External Limiting Membrane." Translational Vision Science & Technology 14.1 (2025): 16-.

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