This article isn't new, but I found the abstract interesting. Since the time of publication a lot of research has been done on oxidative stress and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE) in glaucoma. In a vicious cycle AGEs lead to the generation of reactive oxygen species and AGE production is promoted by oxidative stress. Both are thought to be factors in the increasing stiffness of the lamina cribrosa. Changes in the biomechanical properties (stiffness, elasticity) of the lamina cribrosa are thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of glaucoma through mechanical pressure on the optic nerve (and possibly other mechanisms). With all that in mind, reviewing the abstract below may be interesting. Enjoy.
Albon, Julie, Peter P Purslow, Wojciech S S Karwatowski, and David L Easty. “Age related compliance of the lamina cribrosa in human eyes.” Br J Ophthalmol 84, no. 3 (March 1, 2000): 318-323. http://bjo.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/84/3/318 (accessed May 3, 2007).
AIMS---To investigate changes in the mechanical compliance of ex vivo human lamina cribrosa with age.
METHODS---A laser scanning confocal microscope was used to image the surface of the fluorescently labelled lamina cribrosa in cadaver eyes. A method was developed to determine changes in the volume and strain of the lamina cribrosa created by increases in pressure. The ability of the lamina cribrosa to reverse its deformation on removal of pressure was also measured.
RESULTS---Volume and strain measurements both demonstrated that the lamina cribrosa increased in stiffness with age and the level of pressure applied. The ability of the lamina cribrosa to regain its original shape and size on removal of pressure appeared to decrease with age, demonstrating an age related decrease in resilience of the lamina cribrosa.
CONCLUSIONS---The mechanical compliance of the human lamina cribrosa decreased with age. Misalignment of compliant cribriform plates in a young eye may exert a lesser stress on nerve axons, than that exerted by the rigid plates of an elderly lamina cribrosa. The resilience of the lamina cribrosa also decreased with age, suggesting an increased susceptibility to plastic flow and permanent deformation. Such changes may be of importance in the explanation of age related optic neuropathy in primary open angle glaucoma.
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