Pathology of ocular tissues in amyloidosis

Abstract

Ocular involvement was found in 29 autopsied individuals with generalized vascular amyloidosis. It may be present both in clinically primary and secondary amyloidosis. In the latter form the choroid and the sclera are particulary involved, whereas in the orbit the most frequently affected tissues in both forms are the extraocular muscles. However, in most cases amyloid deposits are localized in the vessels of the aterial circle of Zinn-Haller. The retina showed no involvement in 28 of 29 cases while optic nerve fibres never were affected. The optic nerve dural sheath was slightly involved in 8 cases.