Zinc and copper metabolism in patients with senile macular degeneration.

Abnormal zinc and copper metabolism has been described in some retinal disorders affecting the retinal pigment epithelium. Anatomic and functional studies in patients with senile macular degeneration show changes in this retinal layer. We examined the blood and urine of two groups of patients, one consisting of patients with senile macular degeneration and the other a control group, for zinc and copper in serum and urine. In the former group we found elevated values of serum zinc and serum copper that were highly significant when compared with the control group. The significance of these findings and their connection to the retinal pigment epithelium is discussed.