Reticular degeneration of the pigment epithelium.

A clinicopathologic study of reticular degeneration of the pigment epithelium (RDPE) was done on 750 eyes of 396 consecutive autopsy cases and on 100 eyes of 50 consecutive patients with RDPE. The clinical, angiographic, macroscopic, and histopathologic characteristics of RDPE and its correlation with macular degenerative abnormalities in the autopsy and clinical eyes are presented. Reticular degeneration of the pigment epithelium and macular degeneration were found to be concomitant manifestations of the aging process, and RDPE may be a significant risk factor associated with age-related macular degeneration. Evaluation of the peripheral fundus is of value in assessing patients with macular degenerative abnormalities.