2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
4 Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors
Part I: Ophthalmic Pathology
Chapter 11: Retina and Retinal Pigment Epithelium
Degenerations
Paving-Stone Degeneration
Focal occlusion of the choriocapillaris can lead to loss of the outer retinal layers and RPE, a condition known as paving-stone or cobblestone degeneration. This type of atrophy is common in the retinal periphery in older individuals. The well-demarcated, flat, pale lesions seen clinically correspond to circumscribed areas of outer retinal and RPE atrophy and loss of the choriocapillaris, with adherence of the INL to Bruch membrane (Fig 11-14). Histologically, these findings are similar to those found in geographic atrophy in age-related macular degeneration.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 4 - Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.