To investigate the possible role of matrix metalloproteinase-7 in choroidal neovascularization associated with age-related macular degeneration, immunoelectron microscopy using ultrathin frozen sections and conventional transmission electron microscopy were performed in subfoveal fibrovascular membranes from patients with age-related macular degeneration. immunoelectron microscopy revealed that matrix metalloproteinase-7 was expressed within basal laminar deposits and amorphous materials around the retinal pigment epithelial cells. The results support a role for matrix metalloproteinase-7 in the development of choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration.