ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Pathological changes in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) occur in the various structures in the posterior pole, such as the outer retina, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), Bruch’s membrane, and the choriocapillaris (1,2). Early lesions of AMD are located either between the RPE and its basement membrane [e.g., basal laminar deposits (BLamD)] or between the basement membrane of the RPE and the remainder of Bruch’s membrane [e.g., basal linear deposits (BLinD)] (2-5). Focal and diffuse deposition between the RPE and Bruch’s membrane is called drusen. Alterations of RPE such as hypopigmentation, depigmentation, or atrophy and attenuation of photoreceptor cells are also observed. This form of macular degeneration is known as dry AMD (non-neovascular AMD), whereas choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the main feature of wet AMD (neovascular AMD), which ultimately results in a disciform scar in end stage AMD.
