Myopic Cracks, Angioid Streaks, and Traumatic Tears in Bruch's Membrane

We studied the pattern of break formation in 60 eyes with myopic lacquer cracks, angioid streaks, or traumatic tears in Bruch's membrane, using a graphics composition technique and computer analysis of digitized images. Lacquer cracks were found in a reticular distribution within a posterior staphyloma; angioid streaks occurred in a spider-web configuration centered on the optic nerve; traumatic tears were characteristically curved, perineural, and eccentric temporally. The specific break patterns imply the operation of biomechanical forces.