Posterior segment changes in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis is a renal disorder characterized by proliferation of cells and changes in the basement membrane of the glomerulus. The disease is divided into three subtypes: type I, characterized by the presence of subendothelial electrondense deposits; type II, characterized by deposition of electrondense material of unknown origin in the lamina densa of the glomerular basement membrane; and type III, characterized by lesions having both type I and type II qualities. Specific posterior segment changes have been reported with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II. We examined three patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II and two patients with type III disease. All three patients with type II disease had Bruch's membrane and retinal pigment epithelial changes, whereas both patients with type III disease had normal posterior segments.