Drusen is a German word that means “rock” or “geode.” They are like tiny pebbles of debris under the retina. The cause of the drusen deposits is related to a type of “garbage” disposal problem. Retinal cells dump unwanted material, and immune cells normally clean up most of it.

Is drusen a medical condition?

Having a few hard drusen is normal as you age. Most adults have at least one hard drusen. This type of drusen typically does not cause any problems and doesn't require treatment. Soft drusen, on the other hand, are associated with another common eye condition called age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

What is a drusen body?

Drusen bodies are extracellular deposits of lipids, proteins, and cellular debris which are found within the layers of the retina and appear as small, yellow deposits on dilated eye exams.