Associations of Axial Length With Photoreceptor Mosaic and Retinal Nerve Fiber Bundle Microstructure Assessed by AO-SLO in Children.

Authors

Fengsheng Wang, Jiayi Li, Yue Zhao, Lushu Chen, Huiying Zhang, Qiuyang Zhang, Jin Yao

Published in

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science. Volume 67. Issue 12. Pages 40. Oct 01, 2026.

Abstract

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.
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.
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.
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.

PMID:
42904886
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 23 Oct 2026.

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