Vitreous and Choroid (Q3) Flashcards
Which layers is the choroid in between?
Sclera and RPE
Where is the choroid at its thickest (~383microns or 0.2mm)?
Thickest at the posterior pole due to needing a good blood supply for the large number of photoreceptors there
Where is the choroid at its thinnest (~277microns or 0.1mm)?
Thinnest at the ora serrata (where it extends up to from the optic nerve)
The suprachoroidal space is continuous with… ?
the supraciliary space
Sensory retina is continuous with which parts of the uvea?
Iris posterior epithelium + non-pigmented ciliary epithelium + sensory retina = continuous
RPE/Bruch’s membrane is continuous with which parts of the uvea?
Iris anterior epithelium + pigmented ciliary epithelium + RPE/Bruch’s membrane = continuous
What are the attachment sites of the uvea to the sclera?
Scleral spur, vortex veins, optic nerve
What are the functions of the choroid?
Provide nutrients to the retina and removes wastes, absorbs excess light, passageway for vessels and nerves, with vascular supply to the macula
What are the layers of the choroid?
- suprachoroidal lamina (outermost)
- choroidal stroma
- choriocapillaris
- Bruch’s membrane (innermost)
The suprachoroidal space is a passageway for which structures?
long posterior ciliary arteries (LPCAs) and long posterior ciliary nerves (LPCNs)
What is the name of the layer of the choroid that contains components of both sclera (collagen fibers, fibroblasts) and choroidal stroma (melanocytes)?
Suprachoroid Lamina - contains components of BOTH choroid and sclera, it does not belong exclusively to the choroid
What components are in the choroidal stroma?
loose connective tissue, containing blood vessels, nerves, melanocytes (dense melanin granules), fibroblasts, macrophages, lymphocytes, and mast cells
What are the 2 vascular layers of the choroidal stroma?
Haller’s layer (large vessels, more posterior) and Satler’s layer (smaller vessels that branch to form a capillary bed, more anterior)
Where does the venous blood supply of the choroid drain through?
Vortex veins
What is the name of the layer of anastomosing, fenestrated capillaries that provides blood to the outer retina called?
Choriocapillaris
inner retina has its own blood supply
Where is the choriocapillaris the densest?
at the macula, to supply the large number of photoreceptors there
What is the name of the cells that surround capillary walls and provide local regulation of blood flow?
Pericytes (can be damaged by diabetes)
What are the five layers of Bruch’s membrane?
- basement membrane of the choriocapillaris
- outer collagenous zone
- elastic layer
- inner collagenous zone
- basement membrane of the RPE
What happens to the choroid with age?
Bruch’s membrane increases in thickness and drusen accumulate
Choriocapillaris decreases in thickness
overall choroid thickness decreases
What is drusen and how does it affect ocular health?
drusen are yellow deposits, containing cellular debris and cause elevation of the RPE, damaging photoreceptors above and not allowing metabolites to transport properly
What are the types and signs of Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
- Dry (non-exudative) - drusen, pigmentary change, atrophy
- Wet (exudative) - fluid/hemorrhage
symptoms are reduced central vision, metamorphopsia and scotoma
What is a chorioretinal coloboma?
Choroidal defect due to improper formation during embryological development
What is a choroidal nevus?
An accumulation of atypical, benign melanocytes, fairly common, size and location should be documented and monitored for any changes
What is the most common primary intraocular tumour in adults?
Choroidal melanoma (80% of uveal melanomas), malignant, metastatic especially to the liver, and usually unilateral
What are choroidal folds and what causes them?
Alternating bands seen usually in the posterior pole, asymptomatic usually, caused by tumour, hypotony, papilledema, or is idiopathic. Bands are seen because of the amount of RPE cells in crests and troughs of the folds