Associations of Axial Length With Photoreceptor Mosaic and Retinal Nerve Fiber Bundle Microstructure Assessed by AO-SLO in Children
- 1The Affiliated Eye Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
- 2The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the microstructural remodeling of the photoreceptor mosaic and nerve fiber bundles during the progression of axial myopia in children, adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AO-SLO) was used, to analyze their correlation with axial elongation, and to explore retinal microstructural changes to elucidate the pathogenesis and identify biomarkers of early myopia.
Methods: High-resolution retinal imaging was performed using an AO-SLO system. Data on photoreceptor cells and nerve fibers were collected from 126 eyes of 126 children aged 7 to 16 years (11.52 ± 1.94). Statistical analysis was subsequently conducted to obtain parameters such as photoreceptor cell packing density (PCPD), cell spacing, dark cell ratio, nerve fiber thickness, and curvature.
Results: Alterations in photoreceptor structure were observed across the temporal, nasal, superior, and inferior parafoveal regions. With increasing axial length (AL), photoreceptor cone density progressively declined and the inter-cellular spacing widened, with the most pronounced changes located in the temporal quadrant. In contrast, cellular regularity and mosaic dispersion remained largely preserved, suggesting no overt disruption of the packing geometry. In addition, the proportion of low-reflective (“dark”) photoreceptors increased, and the width of retinal nerve fiber bundles was reduced, whereas their curvature was not significantly affected.
Conclusions: In summary, the series of cellular-level remodeling events accompanying axial elongation reveal a dynamic, coordinated interplay between retinal microstructure and ocular axial growth. These findings provide a new perspective for understanding the pathogenesis of myopia. Moreover, AO-SLO, as a noninvasive cellular-resolution imaging modality, demonstrates substantial potential for risk stratification and clinical screening of myopia progression.
Related
- Layer-specific retinal microvascular redistribution in children with severe adenotonsillar hypertrophy assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography.
- Retinal Flattening Associated With Photoreceptor Degeneration Leads to the Formation of Staphyloma-Like Morphology in Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Retinal nerve fibre layer, and ganglion cell layer thicknesses in children with ADHD: associations with subtypes and symptom severity
- Investigation on the impact of outdoor exercise on retinal cone photoreceptor mosaic using adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy
- Retinal microvascular alterations assessed by OCTA in metabolic liver disease: insights into systemic microvascular dysfunction—a systematic review and semi-quantitative synthesis
BibTeX
@article{wang2026associations,
title = {{Associations of Axial Length With Photoreceptor Mosaic and Retinal Nerve Fiber Bundle Microstructure Assessed by AO-SLO in Children}},
author = {Fengsheng Wang and Jiayi Li and Yue Zhao and Lushu Chen and Huiying Zhang and Qiuyang Zhang and Jin Yao},
journal = {Investigative Ophthalmology \& Visual Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1167/iovs.67.12.40},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.67.12.40},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Associations of Axial Length With Photoreceptor Mosaic and Retinal Nerve Fiber Bundle Microstructure Assessed by AO-SLO in Children
AU - Fengsheng Wang
AU - Jiayi Li
AU - Yue Zhao
AU - Lushu Chen
AU - Huiying Zhang
AU - Qiuyang Zhang
AU - Jin Yao
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/21
JO - Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
DO - 10.1167/iovs.67.12.40
UR - https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.67.12.40
AB - Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the microstructural remodeling of the photoreceptor mosaic and nerve fiber bundles during the progression of axial myopia in children, adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AO-SLO) was used, to analyze their correlation with axial elongation, and to explore retinal microstructural changes to elucidate the pathogenesis and identify biomarkers of early myopia. Methods: High-resolution retinal imaging was performed using an AO-SLO system. Data on photoreceptor cells and nerve fibers were collected from 126 eyes of 126 children aged 7 to 16 years (11.52 ± 1.94). Statistical analysis was subsequently conducted to obtain parameters such as photoreceptor cell packing density (PCPD), cell spacing, dark cell ratio, nerve fiber thickness, and curvature. Results: Alterations in photoreceptor structure were observed across the temporal, nasal, superior, and inferior parafoveal regions. With increasing axial length (AL), photoreceptor cone density progressively declined and the inter-cellular spacing widened, with the most pronounced changes located in the temporal quadrant. In contrast, cellular regularity and mosaic dispersion remained largely preserved, suggesting no overt disruption of the packing geometry. In addition, the proportion of low-reflective (“dark”) photoreceptors increased, and the width of retinal nerve fiber bundles was reduced, whereas their curvature was not significantly affected. Conclusions: In summary, the series of cellular-level remodeling events accompanying axial elongation reveal a dynamic, coordinated interplay between retinal microstructure and ocular axial growth. These findings provide a new perspective for understanding the pathogenesis of myopia. Moreover, AO-SLO, as a noninvasive cellular-resolution imaging modality, demonstrates substantial potential for risk stratification and clinical screening of myopia progression.
SN - 0146-0404
SN - 1552-5783
ER -