CAPILLARIES ARE PRESENT IN BRUCHS MEMBRANE AT THE ORA SERRATA IN THE HUMAN EYE

PURPOSE. Because earlier studies indicate that the choroid close to th e ora serrata may have unique anatomic features such as wandering cell s, blood vessels in Bruch's membrane, and accumulated pigment in the r etinal pigment epithelium (RPE), the morphology of the normal human ey e at the ora serrata region was investigated. METHODS. Specimens from the ora serrata region of two normal human eyes (male donors, 48 and 5 2 pears old) were investigated by Light and electron microscope. Speci mens from all quadrants were studied in one eye. RESULTS. The elastic layer of Bruch's membrane extended as far as 15 mu m into the peripher al choroid; capillaries were included between the elastin layer and th e RPE. Nasally, from the anterior end to 2 mm posterior of the ora ser rata, the RPE cells contained more melanin than did those in the adjac ent posterior region. Melanin granules in the RPE cells close to the o ra either formed large clusters or appeared unusually small because of fragmentation. A unique, fine lamellar, membranous material with a fi ngerprint-like structure was found between the basal folds of the RPE. This material is also found within the extracellular matrix of the ch oroid and in association with red blood cells. CONCLUSIONS. The morpho logy of Bruch's membrane is varied near the ora serrata because capill aries and wandering cells are present in its outer collagenous layer. Unique, fine lamellar, fingerprint-like structures are extruded from t he RPE and are removed from the eye together with red blood cells. Cap illaries within the inner collagenous region of Bruch's membrane at th e ora serrata may not necessarily represent a pathologic response but may be a normal characteristic of thick regions of Bruch's membrane.