Research progress on drusen in age-related macular degeneration

Drusen is early sign of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Recent studies have suggested that formation of drusen is related to accumulation of lipoprotein in the Bruch’s membrane, which resulted in damage of retinal pigment epithelium cells by toxic intermediates, leading to apoptosis. Drusen can be classified into three categories according its diameter, i. e., hard (less than 63 μm), moderate (63~125 μm) and soft (greater than 125 μm, also known as large drusen). Large-scale drusen is an important risk factor for AMD, and the presence of a large number of rigid small drusen can be seen as an early sign of AMD.(Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2018, 42: 145-148) Key words: age-related macular degeneration; drusen