Pseudoxanthoma elasticum is a progressive disorder that affects connective tissue, the material that supports and holds together different structures of the body. This condition is characterized by accumulated deposits of calcium (calcification) and other minerals in elastic fibers, a component of connective tissue. Calcification can affect elastic fibers in the skin, eyes, and blood vessels, and less frequently in other areas such as the digestive tract. As a result, people with pseudoxanthoma elasticum may have yellowish bumps (papules) on their necks, underarms, and elsewhere on the skin. They may also have changes in the eye called angioid streaks that can lead to vision loss if bleeding occurs. People with pseudoxanthoma elasticum are also at increased risk for problems involving blood vessels, such as decreased blood flow to the arms and legs, which may cause cramping or pain with exercise (claudication). Bleeding in the digestive tract is another risk. Most affected individuals live a normal lifespan.