The fundus of the eye refers to the interior back surface of your eyeball, which includes structures such as the retina, optic disc, macula, and blood vessels. This area is regularly examined by eye care professionals using tools like an ophthalmoscope or through fundus photography. A tessellated fundus describes a specific appearance of this inner eye surface, where the underlying blood vessels of the choroid are more visible. This pattern is generally considered a normal anatomical variation.
Understanding Tessellated Fundus
During an eye examination, a tessellated fundus appears as a distinct “tiger-striped” or “mosaic” pattern of choroidal blood vessels visible through the retina. The visibility of these vessels results from the natural variations in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a layer of cells that lies beneath the retina and helps support its function.
The RPE normally contains pigment that can obscure the choroidal vessels. In a tessellated fundus, this layer may have reduced pigmentation or be naturally thinner, allowing the underlying, larger choroidal blood vessels to be more clearly seen. This anatomical presentation is not a disease or a sign of pathology, but rather a benign variation in the eye’s structure.
What Causes a Tessellated Fundus
The primary reason for a tessellated fundus is often a naturally thinner or less pigmented retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). This allows the underlying choroid, which is rich in blood vessels, to be more apparent. The choroid supplies nutrients to the outer layers of the retina.
A strong association exists between a tessellated fundus and myopia, or nearsightedness. In highly myopic eyes, the eye is often elongated, which can lead to thinning of the choroid and retina. This thinning further contributes to the prominence of the choroidal vessels. While frequently seen in myopic individuals, a tessellated fundus can also be a normal finding in people without myopia, simply reflecting individual variations in eye anatomy.
When to Be Concerned About a Tessellated Fundus
In most instances, a tessellated fundus is a benign finding and does not indicate an eye disease or necessitate specific treatment. However, recognizing this appearance is important for eye care professionals to distinguish it from other conditions that might cause similar visibility of the choroidal vessels but do represent actual eye health concerns.
For individuals with a tessellated fundus, especially those with high myopia, regular comprehensive eye examinations are advisable. These examinations monitor overall eye health and detect potential changes that could signal the development of other conditions, such as choroidal thinning due to disease or other myopic maculopathies. Early detection allows for timely intervention and management.