1Uthoff D., 2Fell A., 2Kusel R., 2Richard G.

1Augenklinik Kiel-Bellevue, Kiel, 2Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf

Purpose: In rhesus monkey eyes loss of elasticity of anterior choroid, where zonule fibers are inserting, has been discussed as a factor causative for presbyopia of these animals. Therefore we investigated in segments of anterior human choroid, whether elasticity changes age dependant.
Methods: In 30 enucleated eyes (age range 45-79 years) with postmortem- times less than 24 hours choroid and sclera were separated carefully after the corneae had been dissected. After a unilateral and radial cut the retina-vitreous-complex was detached from the choroid and 5 mm wide segments were stamped out of the choroid. In order to measure the stiffness, these specimen were fixed immediately at the insertions of the ciliary muscle, and 5 mm behind. By means of a computer controlled setup, the quadratic probe was expanded and the resulting tractive force was measured with an analytical balance. For comparison the choroidal region behind was also investigated.
Results: The stiffness of the anterior choroid was less than in the more posterior region. Furthermore, tearing of the tissue generally occurred earlier in the posterior segment.
Conclusions: We found increased stiffness in the posterior segments. Furthermore, our data support the assumption that loss of choroidal stiffness does not occur in elderly human eyes. Whether this applies for younger eyes as well must be elucidated in further studies.

Copyright © Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft, 2001. All rights reserved.

Last updated: 

Webdesign: SPALLEK.COM