HYDRODYNAMICS OF AGING BRUCHS MEMBRANE - IMPLICATIONS FOR MACULAR DISEASE

The hydrodynamic properties of isolated human Bruch's membrane and cho roid were investigated as a function of age and retinal location. Macu lar and peripheral regions of the fundus showed an exponential decline of hydraulic conductivity with half-lives of 15 and 22 years respecti vely. Comparison of age profiles for hydraulic conductivity and lipid deposits suggests the involvement of two discrete processes for reduct ion in transport capability. The first appears to involve 'membrane re modelling' with a programmed decay rate leading to a major reduction i n hydraulic conductivity by the fifth decade of life. The second comme nces in the fourth decade and is apparently dependent on the lipid con tent of Bruch's membrane. (C) 1996 Academic Press Limited