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Kar D, Amjad M, Corradetti G, Swain TA, Clark ME, McGwin G, Sloan KR, Owsley C, Sadda SR, Curcio CA. Choriocapillaris Impairment, Visual Function, and Distance to Fovea in Aging and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: ALSTAR2 Baseline. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:40. [PMID: 39042400 PMCID: PMC11268449 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.8.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose In aging and early-intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD), rod-mediated dark adaptation (RMDA) slows more at 5° superior than at 12°. Using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), we asked whether choriocapillaris flow deficits are related to distance from the fovea. Methods Persons ≥60 years stratified for AMD via the Age-Related Eye Disease Study's nine-step system underwent RMDA testing. Two adjacent 4.4° × 4.4° choriocapillaris OCTA slabs were centered on the fovea and 12° superior. Flow signal deficits (FD%) in concentric arcs (outer radii in mm, 0.5, 1.5, 2.2, 4.0, and 5.0 superior) were correlated with rod intercept time (RIT) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Results In 366 eyes (170 normal, 111 early AMD, 85 intermediate AMD), FD% was significantly worse with greater AMD severity in all regions (overall P < 0.05) and poorest under the fovea (P < 0.0001). In pairwise comparisons, FD% worsened with greater AMD severity (P < 0.05) at distances <2.2 mm. At greater distances, eyes with intermediate, but not early AMD differed from normal eyes. Foveal FD% was more strongly associated with longer RIT at 5° (r = 0.52) than RIT at 12° (r = 0.39) and BCVA (r = 0.21; all P < 0.0001). Choroidal thickness was weakly associated with longer RIT at 5° and 12° (r = 0.10-0.20, P < 0.05) and not associated with AMD severity. Conclusions Reduced transport across the choriocapillaris-Bruch's membrane-retinal pigment epithelium complex, which contributes to drusen formation under the macula lutea (and fovea), may also reduce retinoid resupply to rods encircling the high-risk area. FD% has potential as a functionally validated imaging biomarker for AMD emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepayan Kar
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Mohymina Amjad
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Giulia Corradetti
- Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Thomas A. Swain
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Mark E. Clark
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Gerald McGwin
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Kenneth R. Sloan
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Cynthia Owsley
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - SriniVas R. Sadda
- Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Christine A. Curcio
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
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Nam J, Nivison-Smith L, Trinh M. Spatial Analysis Reveals Vascular Changes in Retinal and Choroidal Vessel Perfusion in Intermediate AMD With Reticular Pseudodrusen. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:33. [PMID: 38386332 PMCID: PMC10896234 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.2.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To examine the effect of reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) on retinal and choroidal vessel perfusion (VP) topography in intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD) using refined spatial analyses. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of 120 individuals with 30 iAMDRPD, 60 iAMDno_RPD, and 30 normal eyes, propensity-score matched by age, sex, and presence of cardiovascular-related disease. VP of the superficial and deep retinal and choriocapillaris vascular slabs was assessed from 6 × 6-mm optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) scans divided into 126 × 126 grids, with adjustment for various person- and eye-level factors. Grid-wise VP differences (%) among the groups were spatially assessed according to analyses based on the Early Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS), eccentricity (µm), and degree (°). Results VP was significantly decreased between iAMDRPD and iAMDno_RPD, across all vascular slabs in various ETDRS sectors (up to -2.16%; 95% confidence interval, -2.99 to -1.34; P < 0.05). Eccentricity analyses revealed more complex patterns: a bisegmented relationship where VP in iAMDRPD eyes decreased linearly toward 1000 µm then returned toward similar values as iAMDno_RPD, plateauing around 2000 µm in the superficial and 3000 µm in the deep retina (R2 = 0.57-0.9; P < 0.001). Degree-based analysis further showed that the greatest VP differences in iAMDRPD eyes were commonly located superiorly and nasally across all vascular slabs (P < 0.05). Conclusions RPD appears to compound the vascular impact of iAMD, displaying complex spatial patterns beyond the ETDRS sectors. This highlights the importance of considering spatial delineations for future work regarding the role of RPD and vascular dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Nam
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Eye Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lisa Nivison-Smith
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Eye Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matt Trinh
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Centre for Eye Health, Sydney, Australia
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Viggiano P, Miere A, Borrelli E, Boscia G, Grassi MO, Souied EH, Alessio G, Boscia F. The Impact of Diabetic Retinopathy on the Choriocapillaris in Neovascular AMD. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:32. [PMID: 37988106 PMCID: PMC10668630 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.14.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the impact of diabetic retinopathy (DR) on morphological choriocapillaris (CC) modifications in eyes with type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV) secondary to AMD using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods Eyes with AMD-related type 1 MNV with and without DR were prospectively included. We performed 3 × 3 mm OCTA scans at two visits: before the loading phase of intravitreal injections of aflibercept (T1) and 1 month after the last injection (T2). OCTA En face flow images of the CC were analyzed for flow deficit percentage (FD%), FD average area and FD number in a 500-µm-wide ring surrounding the dark halo (DH) around type 1 MNV. Results A total of 65 eyes, out of which 30 eyes had mild DR, were included. In the group without diabetes, there was a gradual reduction in FD% in the CC ring around the DH after antiangiogenic therapy, indicating reperfusion of the CC (P = 0.003). However, in the DR group, there were no significant changes in CC parameters between the two study visits. Specifically, the FD% in the CC ring around the DH did not show a significant reduction at T2 compared with T1 values (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the comparison of the variation in FD% between the two groups was statistically significant. The nondiabetic group exhibited a gradual CC reperfusion after the loading phase of aflibercept, whereas the diabetic eyes did not show significant changes (P = 0.029). Conclusions The CC surrounding the DH associated to type 1 MNV exhibited greater hypoperfusion in diabetic eyes compared with eyes without diabetes, both before starting therapy and after the loading phase. Hence, DR may be a potential risk factor in the development and progression of late-stage AMD and may also influence the response to antiangiogenic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Viggiano
- Department of Translational Biomedicine Neuroscience, University of Bari “Aldo Moro,” Bari, Italy
| | - Alexandra Miere
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, Université Paris Est, Créteil, France
| | - Enrico Borrelli
- Ophthalmology Department, San Raffaele University Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Boscia
- Department of Translational Biomedicine Neuroscience, University of Bari “Aldo Moro,” Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Oliva Grassi
- Department of Translational Biomedicine Neuroscience, University of Bari “Aldo Moro,” Bari, Italy
| | - Eric H. Souied
- Department of Ophthalmology, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, Université Paris Est, Créteil, France
| | - Giovanni Alessio
- Department of Translational Biomedicine Neuroscience, University of Bari “Aldo Moro,” Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Boscia
- Department of Translational Biomedicine Neuroscience, University of Bari “Aldo Moro,” Bari, Italy
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Kar D, Corradetti G, Swain TA, Clark ME, McGwin G, Owsley C, Sadda SR, Curcio CA. Choriocapillaris Impairment Is Associated With Delayed Rod-Mediated Dark Adaptation in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:41. [PMID: 37768273 PMCID: PMC10540875 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.12.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Progress toward treatment and prevention of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) requires imaging end points that relate to vision. We investigated choriocapillaris flow signal deficits (FD%) and visual function in eyes of individuals aged ≥60 years, with and without AMD. Methods One eye of each participant in the baseline visit of the Alabama Study on Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration 2 (ALSTAR2; NCT04112667) was studied. AMD presence and severity was determined using the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) grading system. FD% was quantified using macular spectral domain optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) scans. Vision tests included rod-mediated dark adaptation (RMDA), best-corrected visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity (photopic and mesopic), and microperimetric light sensitivity (scotopic, mesopic, and photopic). Presence of subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD) was determined using multimodal imaging. Results In 410 study eyes of 410 participants (mean [SD] age = 71.7 years [5.9]), FD% was higher in early AMD (mean [SD] = 54.0% [5.5], N = 122) and intermediate AMD (59.8% [7.4], N = 92), compared to normal (52.1% [5.3], N = 196) eyes. Among visual functions evaluated, RMDA showed the strongest association with FD% (r = 0.35, P < 0.0001), followed by contrast sensitivity (r = -0.22, P < 0.0001). Eyes with SDD had worse FD% (58.3% [7.4], N = 87), compared to eyes without SDD (53.4% [6.0], N = 323, P = < 0.0001). Conclusions Choriocapillaris FD% were associated with AMD severity and with impaired vision, especially RMDA. Reduced metabolic transport and exchange across the choriocapillaris-Bruch's membrane retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) complex, a causal factor for high-risk soft drusen formation, also may impair photoreceptor sustenance from the circulation. This includes retinoid resupply, essential to dynamic rod function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepayan Kar
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Giulia Corradetti
- Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Thomas A. Swain
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Mark E. Clark
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Gerald McGwin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Cynthia Owsley
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - SriniVas R. Sadda
- Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | - Christine A. Curcio
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
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Li J, Liu Z, Lu J, Shen M, Cheng Y, Siddiqui N, Zhou H, Zhang Q, Liu J, Herrera G, Hiya FE, Gregori G, Wang RK, Rosenfeld PJ. Decreased Macular Choriocapillaris Perfusion in Eyes With Macular Reticular Pseudodrusen Imaged With Swept-Source OCT Angiography. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:15. [PMID: 37052925 PMCID: PMC10103727 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.4.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To determine if macular reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) were associated with markers of impaired macular choroidal perfusion, we investigated measurements of macular choriocapillaris (CC) flow deficits (FDs), CC thickness, and mean choroidal thickness (MCT) in eyes with macular RPD compared with normal eyes and eyes with soft drusen. Methods Eyes with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (iAMD) and normal eyes underwent 6 × 6 mm swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) imaging to diagnose macular RPD, occupying over 25% of the fovea-centered 5 mm diameter circle, and measure outer retinal layer (ORL) thickness, CC FDs, CC thickness, MCT, and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) using previously published strategies within the same fovea-centered 5 mm circle. Results Ninety eyes were included; 30 normal eyes, 30 eyes with soft drusen, and 30 eyes with macular RPD. The RPD eyes showed higher macular CC FDs than normal eyes (P < 0.001) and soft drusen eyes (P = 0.019). Macular CC thickness was decreased in RPD eyes compared with normal eyes (P < 0.001) and soft drusen eyes (P = 0.016). Macular MCT in RPD eyes was thinner than normal eyes (P = 0.005) and soft drusen eyes (P < 0.001). No statistically and clinically significant differences were found in the ORL thickness and CVI measurements between RPD eyes and the other two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusions Eyes with macular RPD had decreased macular CC perfusion, decreased CC thickness, and decreased MCT measurements compared with normal and soft drusen eyes, suggesting that RPD may result from impaired choroidal perfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ziyu Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Jie Lu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Mengxi Shen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Yuxuan Cheng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Nadia Siddiqui
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Hao Zhou
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Qinqin Zhang
- Research and Development, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc., Dublin, California, United States
| | - Jeremy Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Gissel Herrera
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Farhan E Hiya
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Giovanni Gregori
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Ruikang K Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Philip J Rosenfeld
- Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
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Wu Z, Zhou X, Chu Z, Gregori G, Wang RK, Rosenfeld PJ, Guymer RH. Impact of Reticular Pseudodrusen on Choriocapillaris Flow Deficits and Choroidal Structure on Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:1. [PMID: 36318196 PMCID: PMC9639673 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.12.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine the impact of reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) on choriocapillaris blood flow and choroidal structure in individuals with intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS Individuals with bilateral large drusen underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT), color fundus photography, near-infrared reflectance, and fundus autofluorescence imaging to determine the presence of RPD. These participants also underwent swept-source OCT angiography (SS-OCTA) imaging to determine (1) choriocapillaris flow deficit (FD) parameters, including the percentage, mean size, and number of FDs present; and (2) choroidal structural parameters, including mean choroidal thickness and choroidal vascularity index. Differences in these parameters between eyes with and without coexistent RPD were examined with and without adjustment for potential key confounders such as drusen volume from the SS-OCTA scans and age. RESULTS This study included 102 eyes from 51 individuals with bilateral large drusen, and the analyses showed that there were no significant differences in the choriocapillaris FD parameters (P ≥ 0.062 for all) and choroidal structural parameters (P ≥ 0.059 for all), with or without adjustment for potential confounders in this cohort. However, the percentage of FDs and the mean FD size were both significantly greater with increasing drusen volume (P ≤ 0.038 for both). CONCLUSIONS The coexistence of RPD in eyes of individuals with intermediate AMD was not associated with significant impairments in choriocapillaris blood flow and choroidal vascular structural changes, with or without adjustment for key confounders. These findings suggest that macular changes in these vascular parameters may not be associated with the presence of RPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Wu
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Xiao Zhou
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Zhongdi Chu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Giovanni Gregori
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Ruikang K. Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States
| | - Philip J. Rosenfeld
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States
| | - Robyn H. Guymer
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia,Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Choroidal Vasculature Changes in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: From a Molecular to a Clinical Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231912010. [PMID: 36233311 PMCID: PMC9570412 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231912010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of choroidal vasculature to the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been long debated. The present narrative review aims to discuss the primary molecular and choroidal structural changes occurring with aging and AMD with a brief overview of the principal multimodal imaging modalities and techniques that enable the optimal in vivo visualization of choroidal modifications. The molecular aspects that target the choroid in AMD mainly involve human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression, complement dysregulation, leukocyte interaction at Bruch’s membrane, and mast cell infiltration of the choroid. A mechanistic link between high-risk genetic loci for AMD and mast cell recruitment has also been recently demonstrated. Recent advances in multimodal imaging allow more detailed visualization of choroidal structure, identifying alterations that may expand our comprehension of aging and AMD development.
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