Adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy: epidemiology, pathophysiology, imaging, and prognosis

PRPH2-ASSOCIATED RETINAL DISEASES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF PHENOTYPIC FINDINGS

PURPOSE

PRPH2-associated retinal diseases (PARD) result from pathogenic PRPH2 variants, primarily affecting photoreceptor outer segments and retinal pigment epithelium. The focus of this article is to review and discuss the phenotyping of PARD subtypes.

DESIGN

A systematic review.

METHODS

The review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines with searches on PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library. Eligible studies were those which discussed molecularly confirmed PARD or described associated diseases such as butterfly pattern dystrophy.

INCLUSION

cross-sectional, cohort, case-control studies, book chapters.

EXCLUSION

non-English, conference papers, non-peer-reviewed, or non-full text articles.

RESULTS

PARD is responsible for 25% of pattern dystrophy and up to 5% of inherited retinal dystrophies. There is clear evidence of phenotypic variability between individuals carrying the same pathogenic variant. Fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, while in research adaptive optics reveal detailed phenotypic characteristics, notably in retinal pigment epithelium changes and photoreceptor disruption. The phenotypic of PARD variability presents diagnostic challenges, with phenotypic features often overlapping with other retinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration, Stargardt disease, and retinitis pigmentosa.

CONCLUSIONS

This review emphasizes revising diagnostic criteria by incorporating more recent imaging techniques and confirming diagnosis with the use of genetic testing. Understanding phenotypic diversity and intrafamilial variability in PARD is crucial for developing new treatments and for patient prognosis and future research should focus on larger cohorts studying genotype-phenotype correlations.

Exudative perifoveal vascular anomalous complex (ePVAC) resembling lesion in a patient with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy

Purpose

to report a case of exudative perifoveal vascular anomalous complex (ePVAC) in a patient with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy.

Observations

A 71-year-old male presented with moderate vision loss in his left eye. His past medical and ocular history were unremarkable. The best-corrected visual acuity was 20/32. Fundus examination disclosed the presence of a perifoveal vascular abnormality, associated with a small egg-yolk lesion. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan passing through the perifoveal vascular abnormality seen on fundus, revealed a small round hyperreflective lesion located at the outer plexiform layer-inner nuclear layer, surrounded by intraretinal cysts. Fluorescein angiography displayed an isolated perifoveal aneurysmal lesion with minimal leakage. OCT angiography permitted to localize the lesion flow signal at the deep capillary plexus (DCP) and the avascular slab; choriocapillaris structure was unaffected; any retino-choroidal anastomosis was detected. A systemic workup was suggested to rule out any vascular diseases, and any abnormality was found. He was thus diagnosed with ePVAC. A stability of the clinical picture was demonstrated after 3 months of follow up.

Conclusion

ePVAC has recently been described to appear in association with other macular abnormalities, such as age-related macular degeneration and myopic macular degeneration. Our case firstly demonstrates an ePVAC lesion in an eye with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy. This observation highlights the importance of discerning between different vascular disorders of the macula, to offer the right treatment to the patient.

Risk Factors for Worsening Morphology and Visual Acuity in Eyes with Adult-Onset Foveomacular Vitelliform Dystrophy

PURPOSE

To explore clinical risk factors and OCT features associated with worse visual acuity (VA), progression of disease, choroidal neovascularization (CNV), and atrophy in eyes with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy (AOFVD).

DESIGN

Single-center, retrospective, observational cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients seen at Duke Eye Center between January 2012 and May 2023 with a diagnosis of AOFVD confirmed via OCT and fundus autofluorescence.

METHODS

Baseline and final-visit images from eyes with AOFVD were examined. Disease stage was assigned, and presence of atrophy or CNV was determined. Clinical and OCT features associated with progression to atrophy and CNV were determined using t tests and chi-square analysis. Correlation with lower VA was determined using linear regression.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Association of clinical characteristics and OCT features with worse VA, progression of disease, CNV, and atrophy as determined by independent t tests, chi-square analysis, and linear regression (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

One hundred one eyes (63 patients) met inclusion criteria for this study, with mean follow-up duration of 48 months (standard deviation, 31 months). Fifty-one percent of eyes progressed beyond baseline staging during follow-up; among baseline stage 1 eyes, incidence of atrophy was 0.068/person-year; incidence of CNV was 0.022/person-year. Risk factors for worse final VA were baseline presence of vitreomacular traction ([VMT], P = 0.006), ellipsoid zone attenuation (P = 0.02), and increased lesion height and width (P < 0.001). Predictors of progression include diabetes mellitus (P = 0.01), statin use (P = 0.03), presence of hyperreflective foci (P = 0.01), and increased lesion width and volume (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively). Predictors of atrophy include the baseline presence of VMT (P = 0.02), decreased choroidal thickness (P = 0.03), and greater maximal height, width, and volume of the lesion (P = 0.03, P = 0.02, and P = 0.009, respectively). Lower baseline VA (P = 0.03) and increased lesion volume (P = 0.04) were associated with CNV.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical and OCT imaging features at baseline may prove useful in stratifying patient risk for progression, atrophy, CNV, and worse VA. Features such as statin use, diabetes, baseline VA, and laterality should be accounted for. OCT features, such as lesion size, VMT, ellipsoid zone attenuation, choroidal thickness, and hyperreflective foci, may impart greater risk of poor outcomes. Future prospective analysis accounting for the time to development of atrophy and CNV is needed.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.