What is bruch membran?

The Bruch membrane is a crucial component of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue that lines the rear part of the eye, and is located between the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) and choroid. It is a multilayered structure consisting of five distinct layers composed of extracellular matrix (ECM), basement membrane, and a range of cell types, including endothelial cells, pericytes, and fibroblasts.

This membrane serves as a barrier that separates the nutrient-rich choroid from the sensory retina, while also allowing for transport of nutrients, gases, and waste products. It also plays an essential role in the physiology of the retina and in the pathogenesis of several retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and choroideremia.

Changes in the structure or composition of the Bruch membrane can disrupt its normal functioning and lead to retinal dysfunction and degeneration. In particular, the accumulation of debris and lipid deposits in the sub-RPE space, known as drusen, is a hallmark of AMD and is thought to impede the transport of nutrients and waste products across the Bruch membrane. Understanding the structure and function of the Bruch membrane is critical for developing new therapeutic approaches to treat these vision-threatening diseases.