Histologic and Morphometric Comparison of Drusen Associated With Chronic Retinal Detachment and Aging-Associated Drusen
Abstract
Purpose: Drusen are subretinal pigment epithelium extracellular matrix deposits. This study compared histomorphometric characteristics of age-related and atypical drusen found in an eye of a young woman with chronic retinal detachment (RD).
Methods: We conducted a histomorphometric examination of drusen identified in 3 eyes: an eviscerated eye from a 35-year-old woman with chronic RD, and 2 specimens of 2 patients, aged 91 and 77 years, with typical age-related drusen. Sections of formalin-fixed tissue stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), Masson trichrome, luxol fast blue (LFB), and Von Kossa were evaluated using light microscopy. Drusen dimensions were quantified using Philips Digital Pathology Software.
Results: Atypical drusen identified in the RD eye (n = 25) displayed spheroidal shape with peripherally radiating fibrils. There were foci of dystrophic calcification and localized chronic choroidal inflammation and within some drusen. Age-related drusen (n = 29) had a typical dome-shaped appearance. Atypical drusen had significantly larger (P < 0.001) average circumference (278 vs. 52 µm), diameter (96 vs. 20 µm), and area (0.006 vs. 0.00022 mm2) than age-related drusen, respectively. Both groups stained positively with PAS, negatively with LFB and Von Kossa, and blue on Masson Trichrome.
Conclusions: Atypical drusen found in this RD case display significant differences in morphometric parameters compared to age-related drusen but similar…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health. Reported size: 29 participants or records.
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