Bruch membrane is a thin, five-layered sheet between the retinal pigment epithelium and the choriocapillaris. It acts as a filter for nutrients, oxygen and waste passing between the choroid and the outer retina. It thickens and collects lipid-rich deposits with age.
| Location | Innermost layer of the choroid, directly beneath the retinal pigment epithelium |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | None (acellular membrane) |
| Blood Supply | None directly; lies against the choriocapillaris |
Supports the retinal pigment epithelium and regulates the exchange of nutrients and waste between the choroid and the outer retina.
Deposits between the pigment epithelium and Bruch membrane, called drusen, are an early sign of age-related macular degeneration. Breaks in the membrane let choroidal vessels grow into the retina. Angioid streaks are crack-like breaks in a calcified Bruch membrane, seen in pseudoxanthoma elasticum and Paget disease of bone.
Yellow deposits under the retinal pigment epithelium on Bruch membrane. Large or numerous drusen predict progression of age-related macular degeneration.
Irregular breaks in a brittle, calcified Bruch membrane radiating from the optic disc. They can lead to choroidal neovascularisation.
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