A biochemical approach to macular diseases: lipofuscin, lysosomes, and melanin in the human retina and choroid
Hayasaka, S.
Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 92(7): 1104-1111
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0203 PMID: 3189086 Document Number: 312690
I examined biochemically the lipofuscin content, lysosomal exzyme activities, and melanin level in the retina and choroid of normal human eyes. Lipofuscin content, expressed as fluorescence intensity, in the macular retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid was higher than that in other areas, and increased with age. High activities of lysosomal enzymes in the macular area were found, but did not change with age. Melanin level was higher in the macular RPE and choroid than in other areas, and showed no alteration with age. In a review of the recent literature, it was found that lipofuscin, lysosomes, and melanosomes were interrelated, and may be involved in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration, macular dystropies such as Best's vitelliform dystrophy and Stargardt disease with fundus flavimaculatus, cone dystrophy, macular cherry-red spot, and drug-induced retinopathy.