What underlying areas become visible with geographic atrophy?

Geographic atrophy, a form of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is characterized by the progressive loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors in the macula. As this atrophy occurs, the underlying structures of the eye become more apparent.

When geographic atrophy develops, the RPE layer thins and eventually degenerates, which exposes the choroid and choriocapillaris beneath. These layers contain blood vessels that supply the retina, and their visibility is a key indicator of the destructed architecture due to geographic atrophy. The choroid becomes prominent in areas affected by geographic atrophy, making it easier to visualize and assess for diagnostic purposes.

This exposure of the choroid and choriocapillaris highlights the foundational structure of the eye that becomes apparent due to the loss of the overlying RPE, leading to the correct identification of these underlying areas as visible in the presence of geographic atrophy.