How do typical confluent drusen appear?

Typical confluent drusen are characterized by their appearance as patchy collections. This presentation results from the coalescence of smaller, individual drusen into larger areas that are irregular in shape and consist of multiple drusen closely spaced together. The term "confluent" suggests that these drusen have merged, creating larger, more pronounced areas within the retinal layer rather than remaining as isolated entities.

The patchy aspect of these collections can be important for clinical diagnosis, especially in the context of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Observing confluent drusen in a patient can be a significant indicator of progressing retinal degenerative changes. Differentiating confluent drusen from other types of drusen, such as the smaller and more evenly distributed ones, is vital for understanding the underlying pathology and managing potential visual outcomes.