2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
12 Retina and Vitreous
Part II: Disorders of the Retina and Vitreous
Chapter 16: Retinal Detachment and Predisposing Lesions
Lesions That Do Not Predispose Eyes to Retinal Detachment
Retinal Pigment Epithelial Hypertrophy
Acquired retinal pigment epithelial hypertrophy is a degenerative change associated with aging that commonly occurs in the periphery, often in a reticular pattern. Histologically, it is characterized by large cells and by large, spherical melanin granules. Similar histologic features are present in congenital hypertrophy of the RPE (eg, grouped pigmentation, or “bear tracks”).
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.