Cuticular drusen or basal laminar drusen (BLD) were described by Gass in 1977 (5). Patients with BLD have
numerous, small, uniformly sized, round, slightly raised, yellow, subretinal lesions on ocular fundus examination. These lesions are grouped into small clusters and usually span the macula between the arcades (Fig. 9.1A). The drusen are hyperfluorescent during fluorescein angiography and fade in later-phase frames (Fig. 9.1B). The lesions may develop a yellowish vitelliform material anterior to RPE. As it progresses, it clears and develops a marked or minimal geographic atrophy. The vitelliform material can block choroidal fluorescence in early stages of fluorescein angiography and stain in the later phase. The staining in later frames may mimic the appearance of type 1 occult CNV.

Initially, the term BLD was used to distinguish these drusen from drusen associated with AMD (6). Subsequent histologic analysis demonstrated that both types of drusen were indistinguishable. Both the BLD and the drusen associated with AMD are located between the basement membrane of the RPE and the inner collagenous layer of the Bruch’s membrane (7). Furthermore, both types of drusen were shown to be histologically indistinct using light and electron microscopy. This entity should not be confused with the histopathologic terms “basal lamellar deposits” or “basal linear deposits.” Although the visual prognosis for cuticular drusen is better than the visual prognosis for patients with AMD, the possibility of CNV exists in both diseases and is associated with worse visual acuity outcomes (8).

This idiopathic disease is most common in Caucasian, Hispanic, and Asian patients between the second and fifth decade of their lives. More often, it is diagnosed in patients with type A personality, high stress levels, or use of corticosteroids (inhaled, topical, or systemic). CSC clinically presents as a sensory retinal detachment that may also be associated with RPE serous retinal detachment. The diagnostic challenge is significant for older age groups with changes in the RPE due to multifocal serous detachments (9,10). In some cases, the formation of “gutter–like” distribution of RPE atrophy in the absence of drusen may help make the diagnosis (Fig. 9.2).

Patients with chronic or recurrent CSC may have decreased visual acuity as a result of RPE dysfunction, subretinal precipitates, and subretinal CNV. The presence of CNV and subretinal fluid in a patient with CSC may be difficult to distinguish from neovascular AMD. Diagnostic clues include absence of drusen, absence of hemorrhage, patches of RPE atrophy in a gutter–like distribution, and the presence of multiple pigmented epithelium detachments (Fig. 9.3).

The term “pattern dystrophy” represents a group of related conditions inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. These macular dystrophies are relatively benign disorders. They are characterized by an abnormality at the level of RPE with hyperpigmentation and variably shaped yellow or gray deposits (Fig. 9.4A and B). The patients are asymptomatic and usually have normal vision. The classic appearance of pattern dystrophy demonstrates the pigmented lesions in the shape of a butterfly. The lesions are clearly seen in the fluorescein angiography. Typically, the lesions are hypofluorescent with a surrounding hyperfluorescent rim (Fig. 9.4C and D). This configuration helps to differentiate them from soft drusen of AMD (11,12,13). Other pattern dystrophies that we need to have
in mind are reticular dystrophy of Sjögren and macroreticular dystrophy.

Chloroquine has high affinity with melanin and is deposited in the RPE. The toxic damage is initiated by the degeneration of the photoreceptors, with subsequent degeneration of other retinal cells and the RPE. RPE mottling and non-geographic atrophy may be seen in the macular area in patients with toxic changes. The absence of drusen and a positive history of drug ingestion are essential to make the diagnosis (14) (Fig. 9.5A and B).

This entity is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion, affecting individuals between the second and third decade of their lives, and it is best observed on fluorescein angiography. Drusen may become confluent after the fourth decade. Initially, patients are asymptomatic. Eventually, central vision loss correlates with macular involvement,
and it can be distinguished from AMD only on the basis of family history (15) (Fig. 9.6).

The mean age at onset of visual loss is the fourth decade of life, with subsequent gradual deterioration in visual acuity. At early stages, the disease presents no symptoms associated with symmetric fine mottled areolar depigmentation of the fovea. In later stages, the depigmented area develops a sharply demarcated geographic atrophy that involves photoreceptors, RPE, and choriocapillaris (Fig. 9.7). In the elderly patient, central areolar choroidal atrophy may be confused with AMD (16).