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Insights into the developing fovea revealed by imaging.

Publication ,  Journal Article
He, Y; Chen, X; Tsui, I; Vajzovic, L; Sadda, SR
Published in: Prog Retin Eye Res
September 2022

Early development of the fovea has been documented by histological studies over the past few decades. However, structural distortion due to sample processing and the paucity of high-quality post-mortem tissue has limited the effectiveness of this approach. With the continuous progress in high-resolution non-invasive imaging technology, most notably optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A), in vivo visualization of the developing retina has become possible. Combining the information from histologic studies with this novel imaging information has provided a more complete and accurate picture of retinal development, and in particular the developing fovea. Advances in neonatal care have increased the survival rate of extremely premature infants. However, with enhanced survival there has been an attendant increase in retinal developmental complications. Several key abnormalities, including a thickening of the inner retina at the foveal center, a shallower foveal pit, a smaller foveal avascular zone, and delayed development of the photoreceptors have been described in preterm infants when compared to full-term infants. Notably these abnormalities, which are consistent with a partial arrest of foveal development, appear to persist into later childhood and adulthood in these eyes of individuals born prematurely. Understanding normal foveal development is vital to interpreting these pathologic findings associated with prematurity. In this review, we first discuss the various advanced imaging technologies that have been adapted for imaging the infant eye. We then review the key events and steps in the development of the normal structure of the fovea and contrast structural features in normal and preterm retina from infancy to childhood. Finally, we discuss the development of the perifoveal retinal microvasculature and highlight future opportunities to expand our understanding of the developing fovea.

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Published In

Prog Retin Eye Res

DOI

EISSN

1873-1635

Publication Date

September 2022

Volume

90

Start / End Page

101067

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant
  • Humans
  • Gestational Age
  • Fovea Centralis
  • Child
  • Adult
 

Citation

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ICMJE
MLA
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He, Y., Chen, X., Tsui, I., Vajzovic, L., & Sadda, S. R. (2022). Insights into the developing fovea revealed by imaging. Prog Retin Eye Res, 90, 101067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101067
He, Ye, Xi Chen, Irena Tsui, Lejla Vajzovic, and Srinivas R. Sadda. “Insights into the developing fovea revealed by imaging.Prog Retin Eye Res 90 (September 2022): 101067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101067.
He Y, Chen X, Tsui I, Vajzovic L, Sadda SR. Insights into the developing fovea revealed by imaging. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2022 Sep;90:101067.
He, Ye, et al. “Insights into the developing fovea revealed by imaging.Prog Retin Eye Res, vol. 90, Sept. 2022, p. 101067. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101067.
He Y, Chen X, Tsui I, Vajzovic L, Sadda SR. Insights into the developing fovea revealed by imaging. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2022 Sep;90:101067.
Journal cover image

Published In

Prog Retin Eye Res

DOI

EISSN

1873-1635

Publication Date

September 2022

Volume

90

Start / End Page

101067

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry
  • Infant, Premature
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant
  • Humans
  • Gestational Age
  • Fovea Centralis
  • Child
  • Adult