Objective To investigate the relationship between lipid deposition in the Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cells and age,and characteristics of lipid deposition in the age-related macular degeneration(AMD). Methods Thirty-two normal eyes from dead people aged 20 days to 84 years and 2 AMD eyes from corpses were examined by using histochemistry stains to identify characteristics of lipid depositi on in the Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cells. Results In the normal eyes,lipid deposition in the Bruch's membrane increased with aging,especially in the macular region.The main composition of the lipid deposition was neutral lipid.AMD eyes were more intensively stained than normal aged eyes,especially in the macular region. Conclusion Lipid deposition distributed in the same regions both in normal and AMD eyes in the elderly,which may play an important role in the aging process and the development of AMD.Stain of RPE increasing with aging may reflect the deposition of lipofuscin in the cells. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1999,15:84-87)