Is Bruch's Membrane Oxygen Diffusivity Lowered in AMD?

A characteristic feature of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the accumulation of abnormal deposits, called drusen, in the Bruch’s membrane, which lies between the blood supply of the choriocapillaris and the oxygen-consuming retina. These deposits can hinder the movement of life-sustaining biochemicals and also waste products between the choroid cell layer and the outer retina, which consists of photoreceptor cells. So far, there is little data available on oxygen transport across Bruch’s membrane in AMD. Blood flow studies reveal that the choroidal blood flow is decreased in some patients with AMD. Oxygen transport to the retina would be compromised further if there is also a simultaneous decrease in oxygen permeability of Bruch’s membrane. Dr. Peddada’s goal is to measure the diffusivity of oxygen across Bruch’s membranes isolated from human donor eyes with AMD and those from age-matched controls. Understanding oxygen diffusivity in Brush’s membrane should help yield valuable insight into the development and progression of AMD.