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Georgiou M, Robson AG, Fujinami K, de Guimarães TAC, Fujinami-Yokokawa Y, Daich Varela M, Pontikos N, Kalitzeos A, Mahroo OA, Webster AR, Michaelides M. Phenotyping and genotyping inherited retinal diseases: Molecular genetics, clinical and imaging features, and therapeutics of macular dystrophies, cone and cone-rod dystrophies, rod-cone dystrophies, Leber congenital amaurosis, and cone dysfunction syndromes. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 100:101244. [PMID: 38278208 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a leading cause of blindness in the working age population and in children. The scope of this review is to familiarise clinicians and scientists with the current landscape of molecular genetics, clinical phenotype, retinal imaging and therapeutic prospects/completed trials in IRD. Herein we present in a comprehensive and concise manner: (i) macular dystrophies (Stargardt disease (ABCA4), X-linked retinoschisis (RS1), Best disease (BEST1), PRPH2-associated pattern dystrophy, Sorsby fundus dystrophy (TIMP3), and autosomal dominant drusen (EFEMP1)), (ii) cone and cone-rod dystrophies (GUCA1A, PRPH2, ABCA4, KCNV2 and RPGR), (iii) predominant rod or rod-cone dystrophies (retinitis pigmentosa, enhanced S-Cone syndrome (NR2E3), Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (CYP4V2)), (iv) Leber congenital amaurosis/early-onset severe retinal dystrophy (GUCY2D, CEP290, CRB1, RDH12, RPE65, TULP1, AIPL1 and NMNAT1), (v) cone dysfunction syndromes (achromatopsia (CNGA3, CNGB3, PDE6C, PDE6H, GNAT2, ATF6), X-linked cone dysfunction with myopia and dichromacy (Bornholm Eye disease; OPN1LW/OPN1MW array), oligocone trichromacy, and blue-cone monochromatism (OPN1LW/OPN1MW array)). Whilst we use the aforementioned classical phenotypic groupings, a key feature of IRD is that it is characterised by tremendous heterogeneity and variable expressivity, with several of the above genes associated with a range of phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Georgiou
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
| | - Anthony G Robson
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Kaoru Fujinami
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Thales A C de Guimarães
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Yu Fujinami-Yokokawa
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Laboratory of Visual Physiology, Division of Vision Research, National Institute of Sensory Organs, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Health Policy and Management, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Malena Daich Varela
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Nikolas Pontikos
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Angelos Kalitzeos
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Omar A Mahroo
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom; Section of Ophthalmology, King s College London, St Thomas Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom; Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Department of Translational Ophthalmology, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Andrew R Webster
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Michel Michaelides
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom; UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
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Grissim G, Walesa A, Follett HM, Higgins BP, Goetschel K, Heitkotter H, Carroll J. Longitudinal Assessment of OCT-Based Measures of Foveal Cone Structure in Achromatopsia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:16. [PMID: 38587442 PMCID: PMC11005076 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.4.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Achromatopsia (ACHM) is an autosomal recessive retinal disease associated with reduced or absent cone function. There is debate regarding the extent to which cone structure shows progressive degeneration in patients with ACHM. Here, we used optical coherence tomography (OCT) images to evaluate outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness and ellipsoid zone (EZ) integrity over time in individuals with ACHM. Methods Sixty-three individuals with genetically confirmed ACHM with follow-up ranging from about 6 months to 10 years were imaged using either Bioptigen or Cirrus OCT. Foveal cone structure was evaluated by assessing EZ integrity and ONL thickness. Results A total of 470 OCT images were graded, 243 OD and 227 OS. The baseline distribution of EZ grades was highly symmetrical between eyes (P = 0.99) and there was no significant interocular difference in baseline ONL thickness (P = 0.12). The EZ grade remained unchanged over the follow-up period for 60 of 63 individuals. Foveal ONL thickness showed a clinically significant change in only 1 of the 61 individuals analyzed, although detailed adaptive optics imaging revealed no changes in cone density in this individual. Conclusions ACHM appears to be a generally stable condition, at least over the follow-up period assessed here. As cones are the cellular targets for emerging gene therapies, stable EZ and ONL thickness demonstrate therapeutic potential for ACHM, although other aspects of the visual system need to be considered when determining the best timing for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett Grissim
- School of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Ashleigh Walesa
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Hannah M. Follett
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Brian P. Higgins
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Kaitlin Goetschel
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Heather Heitkotter
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Joseph Carroll
- Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
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Woertz EN, Ayala GD, Wynne N, Tarima S, Zacharias S, Brilliant MH, Dunn TM, Costakos D, Summers CG, Strul S, Drack AV, Carroll J. Quantitative Foveal Structural Metrics as Predictors of Visual Acuity in Human Albinism. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:3. [PMID: 38441889 PMCID: PMC10916884 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.3.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To assess the degree to which quantitative foveal structural measurements account for variation in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in human albinism. Methods BCVA was measured and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) images were acquired for 74 individuals with albinism. Categorical foveal hypoplasia grades were assessed using the Leicester Grading System for Foveal Hypoplasia. Foveal anatomical specialization (foveal versus parafoveal value) was quantified for inner retinal layer (IRL) thickness, outer segment (OS) length, and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness. These metrics, participant sex, and age were used to build a multiple linear regression of BCVA. This combined linear model's predictive properties were compared to those of categorical foveal hypoplasia grading. Results The cohort included three participants with type 1a foveal hypoplasia, 23 participants with type 1b, 33 with type 2, ten with type 3, and five with type 4. BCVA ranged from 0.08 to 1.00 logMAR (mean ± SD: 0.53 ± 0.21). IRL ratio, OS ratio, and ONL ratio were measured in all participants and decreased with increasing severity of foveal hypoplasia. The best-fit combined linear model included all three quantitative metrics and participant age expressed as a binary variable (divided into 0-18 years and 19 years or older; adjusted R2 = 0.500). This model predicted BCVA more accurately than a categorical foveal hypoplasia model (adjusted R2 = 0.352). Conclusions A quantitative model of foveal specialization accounts for more variance in BCVA in albinism than categorical foveal hypoplasia grading. Other factors, such as optical aberrations and eye movements, may account for the remaining unexplained variance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica N. Woertz
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
- School of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Gelique D. Ayala
- School of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Niamh Wynne
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Sergey Tarima
- Division of Biostatistics, Institute for Health and Equity, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Serena Zacharias
- School of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Murray H. Brilliant
- Center for Precision Medicine Research, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Taylor M. Dunn
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Deborah Costakos
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
| | - C. Gail Summers
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Sasha Strul
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
| | - Arlene V. Drack
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Joseph Carroll
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
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Heitkotter H, Allphin MT, Untaroiu A, Min H, Warr E, Wynne N, Cooper RF, Carroll J. Peak Cone Density Predicted from Outer Segment Length Measured on Optical Coherence Tomography. Curr Eye Res 2024; 49:314-324. [PMID: 38146597 PMCID: PMC10922793 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2023.2289853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare peak cone density predicted from outer segment length measured on optical coherence tomography with direct measures of peak cone density from adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy. METHODS Data from 42 healthy participants with direct peak cone density measures and optical coherence tomography line scans available were used in this study. Longitudinal reflectivity profiles were analyzed using two methods of identifying the boundaries of the ellipsoid and interdigitation zones to estimate maximum outer segment length: peak-to-peak and the slope method. These maximum outer segment length values were then used to predict peak cone density using a previously described geometrical model. A comparison between predicted and direct peak cone density measures was then performed. RESULTS The mean bias between observers for estimating maximum outer segment length across methods was less than 2 µm. Cone density predicted from the peak-to-peak method against direct cone density measures showed a mean bias of 6,812 cones/mm2 with 50% of participants displaying a 10% difference or less between predicted and direct cone density values. Cone density derived from the slope method showed a mean bias of -17,929 cones/mm2 relative to direct cone density measures, with only 41% of participants demonstrating less than a 10% difference between direct and predicted cone density values. CONCLUSION Predicted foveal cone density derived from peak-to-peak outer segment length measurements using commercial optical coherence tomography show modest agreement with direct measures of peak cone density from adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy. The methods used here are imperfect predictors of cone density, however, further exploration of this relationship could reveal a clinically relevant marker of cone structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Heitkotter
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
| | - Mitchell T. Allphin
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
| | - Ana Untaroiu
- School of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
| | - Heun Min
- School of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
| | - Emma Warr
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
| | - Niamh Wynne
- Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert F. Cooper
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
| | - Joseph Carroll
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA
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Britten-Jones AC, Thai L, Flanagan JPM, Bedggood PA, Edwards TL, Metha AB, Ayton LN. Adaptive optics imaging in inherited retinal diseases: A scoping review of the clinical literature. Surv Ophthalmol 2024; 69:51-66. [PMID: 37778667 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Adaptive optics (AO) imaging enables direct, objective assessments of retinal cells. Applications of AO show great promise in advancing our understanding of the etiology of inherited retinal disease (IRDs) and discovering new imaging biomarkers. This scoping review systematically identifies and summarizes clinical studies evaluating AO imaging in IRDs. Ovid MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched on February 6, 2023. Studies describing AO imaging in monogenic IRDs were included. Study screening and data extraction were performed by 2 reviewers independently. This review presents (1) a broad overview of the dominant areas of research; (2) a summary of IRD characteristics revealed by AO imaging; and (3) a discussion of methodological considerations relating to AO imaging in IRDs. From 140 studies with AO outcomes, including 2 following subretinal gene therapy treatments, 75% included fewer than 10 participants with AO imaging data. Of 100 studies that included participants' genetic diagnoses, the most common IRD genes with AO outcomes are CNGA3, CNGB3, CHM, USH2A, and ABCA4. Confocal reflectance AO scanning laser ophthalmoscopy was the most reported imaging modality, followed by flood-illuminated AO and split-detector AO. The most common outcome was cone density, reported quantitatively in 56% of studies. Future research areas include guidelines to reduce variability in the reporting of AO methodology and a focus on functional AO techniques to guide the development of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Ceecee Britten-Jones
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Lawrence Thai
- Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jeremy P M Flanagan
- Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Phillip A Bedggood
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Thomas L Edwards
- Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew B Metha
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lauren N Ayton
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Litts KM, Woertz EN, Wynne N, Brooks BP, Chacon A, Connor TB, Costakos D, Dumitrescu A, Drack AV, Fishman GA, Hauswirth WW, Kay CN, Lam BL, Michaelides M, Pennesi ME, Stepien KE, Strul S, Summers CG, Carroll J. Examining Whether AOSLO-Based Foveal Cone Metrics in Achromatopsia and Albinism Are Representative of Foveal Cone Structure. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2021; 10:22. [PMID: 34111268 PMCID: PMC8132001 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.10.6.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) imaging in patients with achromatopsia (ACHM) and albinism is not always successful. Here, we tested whether optical coherence tomography (OCT) measures of foveal structure differed between patients for whom AOSLO images were either quantifiable or unquantifiable. Methods The study included 166 subjects (84 with ACHM; 82 with albinism) with previously acquired OCT scans, AOSLO images, and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, if available). Foveal OCT scans were assessed for outer retinal structure, outer nuclear layer thickness, and hypoplasia. AOSLO images were graded as quantifiable if a peak cone density could be measured and/or usable if the location of peak density could be identified and the parafoveal mosaic was quantifiable. Results Forty-nine percent of subjects with ACHM and 57% of subjects with albinism had quantifiable AOSLO images. Older age and better BCVA were found in subjects with quantifiable AOSLO images for both ACHM (P = 0.0214 and P = 0.0276, respectively) and albinism (P = 0.0073 and P < 0.0004, respectively). There was a significant trend between ellipsoid zone appearance and ability to quantify AOSLO (P = 0.0028). In albinism, OCT metrics of cone structure did not differ between groups. Conclusions Previously reported AOSLO-based cone density measures in ACHM may not necessarily reflect the degree of remnant cone structure in these patients. Translational Relevance Until AOSLO is successful in all patients with ACHM and albinism, the possibility of the reported data from a particular cohort not being representative of the entire population remains an important issue to consider when interpreting results from AOSLO studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie M Litts
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Erica N Woertz
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,School of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Niamh Wynne
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | | | - Alicia Chacon
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Thomas B Connor
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Deborah Costakos
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Alina Dumitrescu
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Arlene V Drack
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Gerald A Fishman
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Byron L Lam
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Michel Michaelides
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.,Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mark E Pennesi
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Kimberly E Stepien
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sasha Strul
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - C Gail Summers
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Joseph Carroll
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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Next-Generation Sequencing Applications for Inherited Retinal Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115684. [PMID: 34073611 PMCID: PMC8198572 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) represent a collection of phenotypically and genetically diverse conditions. IRDs phenotype(s) can be isolated to the eye or can involve multiple tissues. These conditions are associated with diverse forms of inheritance, and variants within the same gene often can be associated with multiple distinct phenotypes. Such aspects of the IRDs highlight the difficulty met when establishing a genetic diagnosis in patients. Here we provide an overview of cutting-edge next-generation sequencing techniques and strategies currently in use to maximise the effectivity of IRD gene screening. These techniques have helped researchers globally to find elusive causes of IRDs, including copy number variants, structural variants, new IRD genes and deep intronic variants, among others. Resolving a genetic diagnosis with thorough testing enables a more accurate diagnosis and more informed prognosis and should also provide information on inheritance patterns which may be of particular interest to patients of a child-bearing age. Given that IRDs are heritable conditions, genetic counselling may be offered to help inform family planning, carrier testing and prenatal screening. Additionally, a verified genetic diagnosis may enable access to appropriate clinical trials or approved medications that may be available for the condition.
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