Optical imaging highlights age-related changes in peripapillary capillaries

In cognitively normal adults over the age of 50, there is a significant age-related decline in peripapillary capillary perfusion density, capillary flux index, and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, according to a study that suggests these measurements could serve as benchmarks for detecting early signs of pathologic processes in the optic nerve with aging.

The study included 111 participants without any history of neurodegenerative disease or cognitive impairment. Over 2 years, the study observed significant age-related declines in peripapillary capillary perfusion density, capillary flux index, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness.

Key findings included that women had higher capillary perfusion density than men at both the start and end of the study, and experienced slower declines in capillary density and RNFL thickness. These changes were more pronounced in older adults.

Reference
Joseph S, Woo J, Robbins CB, et al. Longitudinal Assessment of Peripapillary Microvasculature Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Cognitively Normal Adults. J Vitreoretin Dis. 2024;8(5):571-576. doi: 10.1177/24741264241263167. PMID: 39318979; PMCID: PMC11418659.