This manuscript by Clairton F de Souza, Michael Kalloniatis, David L Christie, Philip J Polkinghorne, Charles N J McGhee and Monica L Acosta examines the distribution of creatine transporter in the aging human retina, particularly after retinal detachment. The questions behind this paper have ultimately to do with examining markers of energy metabolism in the retina and any impact on pathology in the retina (and be extension into the brain). Creatine and phosphocreatine are intimately involved with maintenance of ATP levels and are therefore found in high concentrations in tissues that maintain high metabolic loads, like the retina. Creatine is obtained from the diet and maintained in cells with an uptake pump, plasma membrane creatine transporter (CRT) that transports creatine from the blood/serum into the cell. The maintenance of creatine is of fundamental importance in a variety of pathological conditions and as such is an area of hot interest in neuroprotection and supplementation. Continue reading “Interesting Paper: Creatine Transporter Immunolocalization In Aged Human And Detached Retinas”
Functional and Anatomical Remodeling in Human Retinal Detachment
This manuscript by Clairton F de Souza, Michael Kalloniatis, Philip J Polkinghorne, Charles N J McGhee and Monica L Acosta examined retinal remodeling in response to a form of retinal detachment. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. The authors describe the changes observed and note that retinal plasticity is acute and likely occurs quickly enough that it may explain persistent vision loss post-reattachment. They also later conclude that retinal detachment, particularly with macular involvement is an emergent condition which is a fundamentally important conclusion.
Continue reading “Functional and Anatomical Remodeling in Human Retinal Detachment”
Complicated Retinal Detatchment
This set of images (click the image above to enlarge) are optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of retained perfluoro-octane (PFO) droplets after repair of a complicated retinal detachment. PFO is a good surgical tool to help reattach the retina as they force sub retinal fluid out of any retinal tears and helps adhere the retina to the back of the globe. PFO also helps localize the margins of retinal detachments, and reduces the height of the retinal detachment which assists in surgical laser photocoagulation. Per Dr. Bernstein, “These subretinal droplets of PFO can remain in place indefinitely and cause minimal visual symptoms as long as they are not under or near the fovea.”
Images graciously provided to Webvision by Cyrie Fry of the Moran Eye Center.