August 25, 2003
Increased iron levels in macula associated with AMD
In a study,postmortem eyes affected by either nonexudative or exudative AMD and healthy postmortem eyes using computer-assisted digital analysis of stained tissue examined for increased levels of iron in the retina . To determine whether the iron was chelatable, sections treated with the iron chelator deferoxamine were compared with adjacent, nonchelated sections. Compared to healthy maculas, the maculas affected by AMD had statistically significant increases in the total iron level, some of which was chelatable. Iron was present in the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch’s membrane in maculas from eyes with drusen only, geographic atrophy and exudative AMD. Iron was present occasionally in relatively healthy areas.
Posted by kjalali at August 25, 2003 05:51 PM