Drusen are focal deposits of extracellular debris located between the basal lamina of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the inner collagenous layer of Bruch membrane

Where are drusen found?

Drusen are small yellow deposits of fatty proteins (lipids) that accumulate under the retina. The retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the inside of the eye, near the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain.

What do drusen look like?

Drusen are the defining feature of macular degeneration. These small yellow or white spots on the retina can be detected by an ophthalmologist during a dilated eye exam or with retinal photography. People with more than a few small drusen are said to have early age-related macular degeneration (AMD).