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In a light microscopic study of the macula of 104 human eyes obtained at necropsy of patients aged 3 to 96 we found: (1) Displacement of nuclei from the outer nuclear layer into the outer plexiform layer occurred in small numbers early in life and markedly increased after age 30. (2) Displacement of nuclei from the outer nuclear layer to the layer of rods and cones was rare in early life but increased considerably after age 40. (3) Displacement of nuclei is probably secondary to shrinkage of their attached fibres and is associated with aging. (4) Displaced nuclei apparently undergo changes in size, shape, and chromatin content and may go on to necrosis. (5) Twenty-four of the 104 eyes studied had an obvious reduction in the numbers of nuclei in the outer nuclear layer and their photoreceptors in the macular zone. All were in eyes from patients over age 40. No concomitant defect was found in the subjacent pigment epithelium, Bruch's membrane, or the choriocapillaris. The loss of nuclei of the outer nuclear layer appears to be a primary retinal disorder associated with aging. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Microcysts of the iris pigment epithelium have been described in association with diabetes mellitus, systemic mucopolysaccharidoses. Menkes's syndrome, and in neonates. Our study covers 68 cases obtained at necropsy. We specifically examined the iris pigment epithelium for vacuolation. We found that microcysts are more widespread than previously thought. In our series 57.3% of the cases reviewed by the light microscope showed microcysts. Of interest was the relationship of malignant neoplasm to iris pigment epithelium microcyst: 69.4% of cases with malignancy showed microcyst, whereas only 30% of the cases without neoplasms showed microcysts. Patients treated with exogenous steroid also had a raised incidence of microcysts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A retrospective study of the histopathological features of retinitis pigmentosa was undertaken. A consistent finding in 10 out of 10 eyes from 6 patients with retinitis pigmentosa was the presence of a preretinal membrane. The frequency of this finding has not been noted previously. Preretinal gliosis may well be responsible for the production of the abnormal glinting fundus reflex seen at the posterior pole in retinitis pigmentosa. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A patient is reported in whom the clinical observation of extension of the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane in association with rubeosis iridis was confirmed by histopathological examination. In a study of eyes which had been removed and demonstrated rubeosis iridis and secondary glaucoma in 16 additional eyes revealed extension of the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane on to the anterior iris surface. In all instances the transition occurred at the pseudoangle formed by the attachment of peripheral anterior synechiae. The suggestion is made that the fibrovascular membrane of rubeosis iridis is the stimulus which excites the extension of the endothelium on to the iris surface. The association between rubeosis iridis and extension of the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane on to the iris has not been previously appreciated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A retrospective study of 737 consecutive necropsies yielded 15 cases of drusen of the optic nerve head, an incidence of 20-4 cases per thousand. This represents the highest incidence yet reported. The histopathological features of drusen of the nerve head included elevation of the nerve head, compression of optic nerve fibres, partial optic atrophy, cytoid bodies, disc haemorrhages, juxtapapillary retinal scarring with haemosiderin deposition, calcification, and iron deposition within drusen. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]