What type of drusen may basal linear deposits contribute to?

Basal linear deposits are associated with the development of larger and confluent drusen in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). These deposits are found beneath the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AMD. As these deposits accumulate, they disrupt the normal function of the RPE, contributing to the formation of larger drusen that can merge to form confluent drusen. This process is indicative of a more advanced stage of AMD, where the accumulation of waste products leads to structural changes in the retina that manifest as larger drusen.

In contrast, smaller or intermediate-sized drusen are typically associated with earlier stages of AMD and are formed under different pathological mechanisms. While they can still have an impact on vision, they are less directly connected to basal linear deposits compared to the confluent and larger drusen. Thus, the connection between basal linear deposits and confluent larger drusen underlines the complexity of AMD progression and the role of these deposits in the disease's pathology.