THE IMPORTANCE of the choriocapillaris to the retina is unquestionable, and a variety of retinal degenerations have been ascribed to choroidal ischemia. Yet few disease processes selectively occlude the choriocapillaris, sparing the retinal vessels. Consequently, the effect of occlusion of the choriocapillaris on the relatively normal human retina has been poorly defined.
The present case illustrates an unusual situation in which the choriocapillaris was occluded by the deposits of amyloid, but the retinal circulation was spared. The patient suffered from primary nonfamilial amyloidosis and died of renal failure. The eyes were obtained postmortem and were studied by light and electron microscopy.
Report of a Case
Clinical Data.
—On a routine physical examination, a 61-year-old white man was found to have hepatomegaly. The liver was firm and smooth, extending for 4 inches below the right costal margin. Liver biopsy was done, and the specimen showed amyloid deposits in the hepatic parenchymal