Causes and risk factors
Drusen are considered to be a natural occurrence in aging individuals (beyond 60 years). They are possibly an elimination of waste products from the eye. Caucasians are more prone to drusen formation. A positive family history raises an individual’s risk of developing drusen. In addition, smoking or having high cholesterol levels are also associated with a higher risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which in turn is associated with a higher risk of developing soft drusen.
Clinical presentation
By themselves, drusen do not give rise to any symptoms. However, if they are present in association with AMD, then visual symptoms such as blurring or loss of central vision are present. An optic nerve drusen can result in loss of peripheral vision.
Investigations
Drusen can be diagnosed on the basis of an ophthalmoscopic examination.
Treatment
There is no available treatment for drusen. The patient, however, needs monitoring in order to look for signs of AMD or other eye problems.
Complications
Presence of drusen is associated with an increased risk of developing ‘age-related macular degeneration.’
When to contact a doctor
Contact a doctor as soon as you notice a drusen in your eye.
Systems involved
Ophthalmology.
Organs involved
Eye
