Convolution in human rods: an ageing process

In a morphological survey of 73 human retinae spanning 9 decades, and including 20 retinae which were obtained from eyes enucleated for malignant melanomas, nodular excrescences were noted in the outer segments of rods with an incidence which increased with age. These structures were sectioned in both their vertical and horizontal axes and on electron microscopical examination were seen to result from the localised convolution of affected outer segments. The topographic morphology of such convolutions is described and their modes of formation are discussed.