Chorioretinal anastomoses in age-related macular degeneration

Both eyes (obtained at autopsy) from a 79-year-old man with a history of age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma were studied. One eye was studied histologically using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The other eye was prepared for scanning electron microscopy after injection of Batson's mixture into the ocular vasculature. Well-developed anastomoses between the retinal and choroidal circulation in the macular area and a pathologic tubular pattern of the choriocapillaris were found. This is an adaptation of the perifoveal circulation to changes in the fovea and a choroidal vascular response to damaged tissue.