Decreasing hydraulic conductivity of Bruch's membrane: Relevance to photoreceptor survival and lipofuscinoses

Deterioration of visual performance leading to blindness is particularly severe in the early-onset forms of Batten disease. Metabolic support of the neural retina is critically dependent on the choroidal blood supply and on efficient transport pathways through Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Conversely, degradation products and, in particular, damaged membranous components of photoreceptor outer segments must be removed in the opposite direction. Incomplete breakdown of damaged “spent” discs leads to the age-related accumulation of lipofuscin-like pigments in the RPE, and these in turn influence the degenerative changes in Bruch's membrane. The generalized and extensive deposition of lipofuscin-like material in Batten disease is therefore likely to exacerbate the degenerative changes in Bruch's membrane, and thereby compromise local fluid dynamics. The hydrodynamic properties of Bruch's membrane were examined in normal donor eyes and showed a precipitous decline of hydraulic conductivity during early life. In fact, the maximal capacity for fluid transport was halved for every 17 years of life. This finding is therefore highly relevant to the development of ensuing pathology in the neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.