Navigation Links
'Dark cells' of living retina imaged for the first time
Date:2/25/2009

A layer of "dark cells" in the retina that is responsible for maintaining the health of the light-sensing cells in our eyes has been imaged in a living retina for the first time.

The ability to see this nearly invisible layer could help doctors identify the onset of many diseases of the eye long before a patient notices symptoms. The findings are reported today's issue of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.

"Our goal is to figure out why macular degeneration, one of the most prevalent eye diseases, actually happens," says David Williams, director of the Center for Visual Science and professor in the Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester. "Macular degeneration affects one in 10 people over the age of 65, and as the average age of the U.S. population continues to increase, it is only going to get more and more common. We know these dark retinal cells are compromised by macular degeneration, and now that we can image them in the living eye, we might be able to detect the disease at a much earlier stage."

In 1997, Williams' team was the first to image individual photoreceptor cells in the living eye, using a technique called adaptive optics, which was borrowed from astronomers trying to get clearer images of stars. To image the dark cells behind the photoreceptors, however, Williams employed adaptive optics with a new method to make the dark cells glow brightly enough to be detected.

The cells, called retinal pigment epithelial, or RPE cells, are nearly black, and form a layer that recharges the photoreceptor cells of the eye after they are exposed to light, Williams explains. The photoreceptors contain molecules called photopigments. When light strikes these molecules, they absorb the light and change shape, sending a signal to the brain indicating they've "seen" light.

Once a photopigment molecule absorbs light, says Williams, it needs to get recharged, so it is shuttled out of the photoreceptor and do
'/>"/>

Contact: Jonathan Sherwood
jonathan.sherwood@rochester.edu
585-273-4726
University of Rochester
Source:Eurekalert  

1

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related medicine news :

1. Make Lashes Longer, Thicker, and Darker with Latisse™
2. Ski Resorts Celebrate National Safety Awareness Week While Keeping Patrons in the Dark About Safety Plans
3. Yugma Appoints Vas Bhandarkar as Chief Executive Officer
4. Escape cancer, but age sooner? The dark side of the tumor suppressing process
5. Dr. Lisa Zdinak Announces, CO2TouchTM Brazilian Carboxytherapy - New Technology for Non-Surgical Treatment of Stretch Marks, Cellulite and Dark Undereye Circles
6. New research reveals ultraviolet light therapy is as beneficial for darker skin as lighter skin
7. Bounty Poll Reveals British Mums in the Dark Over Bisphenol-A in Baby Bottles
8. Enzyme Beneficial to Alzheimers Plays Darker Role in Other Dementia
9. Toxic Stock Syndrome Report: Many Companies Are Keeping Shareholders in the Dark on Potential Recalls, Bans, and Other Risks
10. When a Mind Begins to Disappear: A Young Familys Journey to the Dark Side
11. Highmark, Prominent Part of Pittsburgh City Skyline, to Go Dark for One Hour to Support the Environment
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
'Dark cells' of living retina imaged for the first time
'Dark cells' of living retina imaged for the first time