Development of atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium around disciform scars.

ABSTRACT:

Background/aims

Eyes with burnt out disciform scars secondary to age related macular degeneration (AMD) are regarded as visually stable. The aim of this study is to report the subsequent development of atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) around the scars and discuss the possible basis.

Methods

20 eyes from 18 patients were observed to develop atrophy around choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). A method of measuring expansion of the atrophy over time is described using the Topcon Imagenet 2000 system. An additional 10 clinicopathological examples were reviewed.

Results

Clinically CNV became surrounded initially by a ring of pallor that progressed to an expanding band of atrophy of the RPE. It developed most rapidly in the first 3 years after CNV became quies

SUBMITTER: Sarks J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1857011 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature