TY - JOUR A1 - Biswas, J A1 - Raman, R T1 - Age-related changes in the macula. A histopathological study of fifty Indian donor eyes Y1 - 2002/7/1 JF - Indian Journal of Ophthalmology JO - Indian J Ophthalmol SP - 201 EP - 204 VL - 50 IS - 3 UR - https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2002;volume=50;issue=3;spage=201;epage=204;aulast=Biswas N2 - PURPOSE: Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is clinically less common in India compared to the West. Therefore, clinicians are unfamiliar with histopathologic evidence of age-related macular changes in the Indian population. METHODS: Fifty consecutive human donor eyes removed for corneal grafting were studied for gross, microscopic and histochemical features of age-related changes in the macula in the Indian population. A horizontal block was cut from the globe including the optic disc, and the macula. Six sections, 6 microns thick, were cut from three levels in the macula at a distance of 140 microns. These were stained with haemotoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, Mallory, Masson trichrome, alcian blue and von Kossa stains. The presence of basal laminar deposits, drusen and thickening and calcification of Bruch's membrane in the macula were assessed at 400 x magnification using a modified version of Sark's classification. RESULTS: Twenty-four donor eyes (48%) had some form of age-related macular change. These included basal laminar deposits, hard drusen, soft drusen, extensive retinal pigment epithelium atrophy of the macula, and disciform degeneration of macula. A combination of changes was often seen. Age-related changes were more common in the seventh and eighth decade. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that histological changes characteristic of the early stages of age-related macular degeneration are fairly common in the Indian population. However, advanced macular changes are significantly rare. ER -