Abstract
Human intracranial optic nerves were morphometrically examined to determine whether retinal ganglion cell axon populations vary with age. A high-contrast lipid stain, paraphenylene-diamine (PPD), and a video image measurement system were employed to sufficiently resolve the optic nerve fiber image for measurement at 5600X magnification. Total axon population decreased with increasing age; mean axon diameter and optic nerve area did not demonstrate statistical changes when correlated with age. There was a qualitative (but not statistically significant) decrease in axon density with age. Marked individual variation was noted in all four features. No significant differences were seen between dorsal, ventral, temporal, and nasal quadrants for any of the four parameters. There was a similar lack of difference between the peripheral and central portions of the optic nerve. No significant intra-eye differences were noted, and no notable differences between sexes were noted for any of the four parameters. Diminution of axon population without selective loss of specific axon size classes suggests possible age-correlated losses of several visual functions.
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Johnson, B.M., Miao, M. & Sadun, A.A. Age-related decline of human optic nerve axon populations. AGE 10, 5–9 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02431765
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02431765