ACUTE EXUDATIVE POLYMORPHOUS VITELLIFORM MACULOPATHY AS THE INITIAL PRESENTATION OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTION

PURPOSE

To describe the occurrence of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy as the initial presentation in a HIV-positive patient.

METHODS

Observational case report of one patient and literature review.

RESULTS

An active 21-year-old white woman presented to the emergency department with anterior segment complaints. Her best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Fundus examination revealed numerous, polymorphous, bleb-like lesions at the posterior pole, corresponding, on structural imaging (optical coherence tomography) to subretinal detachments. The bleb-like lesions on infrared imaging were slightly autofluorescent on fundus autofluorescence. Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography showed signal attenuation because of the presence of subretinal fluid in the choriocapillaris segmentation. Multimodal imaging findings were suggestive for acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy. Hence, a systemic blood workup was performed. The workup returned positive for HIV, and an antiviral therapy was introduced.

CONCLUSION

The fortuitous diagnosis of HIV having as the initial presentation acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy in an asymptomatic patient highlights the value of a thorough clinical examination and multimodal imaging in correctly diagnosing this rare disorder and its cause. This case report could prove helpful to clinicians faced with this rare scenario.

The Retinal Phenotype Associated with the p.Pro101Thr BEST1 Variant

PURPOSE

To describe the retinal phenotype associated with the p.Pro101Thr BEST1 variant.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients diagnosed with bestrophinopathies in which molecular genetic testing identified the p.Pro101Thr BEST1 as well as healthy carriers among their first-degree relatives.

METHODS

Medical records were reviewed to obtain data on family history and ophthalmic examinations, including retinal imaging. The imaging protocol included OCT and fundus autofluorescence using Spectralis HRA + OCT (Heidelberg Engineering). Genetic analysis was performed by next-generation sequencing.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Results of ophthalmic examinations and multimodal imaging features of retinal phenotypes.

RESULTS

The c.301C>A, p.Pro101Thr BEST1 missense variant was identified as the causative variant in 8 individuals (all men) from 5 families, accounting for 13% of cases (8/61) and 10% of pathogenic alleles (9/93) in our cohort of patients affected by bestrophinopathies. Seven individuals (14 eyes) had the variant in heterozygous status: all eyes had a hyperopic refractive error (median spherical equivalent of + 3.75 diopters [D]) and 4 individuals had a macular dystrophy with mildly reduced visual acuity (median of 20/25 Snellen), whereas the other 3 were asymptomatic carriers. On multimodal retinal imaging, 5 (36%) out of 14 eyes had subclinical bestrophinopathy, 4 (29%) had typical findings of adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy (AOFVD), and the remaining 5 (36%) displayed a pattern dystrophy-like phenotype. Follow-up data were available for 6 subjects, demonstrating clinical stability up to 11 years, in both subclinical and clinical forms. An additional patient with autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy was found to harbor the p.Pro101Thr variant in homozygosity.

CONCLUSIONS

The p.Pro101Thr BEST1 variant is likely a frequent cause of bestrophinopathy in the Italian population and can result in autosomal dominant macular dystrophies with incomplete penetrance and mild clinical manifestations as well as autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy. The spectrum of autosomal dominant maculopathy includes the typical AOFVD and a pattern dystrophy-like phenotype.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

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

Novel IMPG2 variant causing adult macular vitelliform dystrophy: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Adult-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy (AVMD) is an inherited maculopathy characterized by metamorphopsias and decrease in visual acuity occurring between the fourth and the sixth decade. It is characterized by an 'egg yolk' macular lesion eventually evolving towards foveal atrophy and fibrosis. It is usually an autosomal dominant inherited disorder with variable penetrance, mainly related to variants in BEST1, PRPH2, IMPG1, and IMPG2 genes.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 47-year-old woman complaining of "wavy" vision was referred to our clinic. Her past medical history and reported family history did not reveal any ocular disease. Complete ophthalmological evaluation was performed. Funduscopic examination and multimodal imaging revealed a round vitelliform lesion in both eyes, leading to a diagnosis of AVMD. Genetic analysis revealed a novel, likely pathogenetic, heterozygous c.478G > T (p.Glu160Ter), (NM_016247) variant in the IMPG2 gene.

DISCUSSION

Our patient exhibits a novel pathogenetic variant in a gene associated with AVMD. Heterozygous variants in the IMPG2 gene have been reported in multiple individuals with vitelliform macular dystrophy, with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Genetic screening is essential to characterize patients, to predict vision loss in patients with a positive family history and to characterize eligible patients for new potential emerging therapies. Genotype-phenotype correlation studies are needed to have a clearer picture of pathogenetic mechanisms. Our study characterizes the phenotype related to a novel IMPG2 pathogenic variant through multimodal imaging.

Quantitative microvascular alterations in butterfly-shaped pattern dystrophy and adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy

PURPOSE

To study retinal microvascular parameters in patients with butterfly-shaped pattern dystrophy (BPD) and adult foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy (AFVD).

METHODS

This case-control study included BPD and AFVD patients in a tertiary university hospital. Eyes with known ocular disease and prior ocular surgery other than uncomplicated cataract surgery were excluded. Right eyes of healthy individuals without systemic or ocular disease were included as controls. En face 6×6mm angiograms were obtained with the RTVue XR Avanti (Optovue, USA). We used the Kruskal-Wallis test to compare vessel density (VD) values of the retina, optic disc and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) between groups. Dunn-Bonferroni correction was used for pairwise comparisons.

RESULTS

Eighteen eyes of 10 BPD patients, 17 eyes of 9 AFVD patients, and 26 right eyes of 26 controls were included. Six patients in the BPD, 4 patients in the AFVD, and 16 patients in the control group were female. The groups did not differ by sex (P=0.650). AFVD patients were of higher mean age (64.3±7.8) than BPD patients (55.9±11.1) and controls (53.6±5.5) (P=0.008, p=0.009). In BPD (P=0.008, P=0.044) and AFVD (P=0.006, P=0.002), parafoveal and perifoveal vessel density (VD) of the superficial capillary plexus were lower than controls. Parafoveal VD of the deep capillary plexus in AFVD was lower than in controls (P=0.012). There was no difference in the foveal avascular area between groups (P=0.563). Optic discs parameters did not differ.

CONCLUSION

A comparable loss in vascular density may indicate shared pathophysiology or represent a common sign of impairment in retinal homeostasis. Further research is needed to clarify underlying microvascular pathogenetic mechanisms in pattern dystrophies.

Typical best vitelliform dystrophy secondary to biallelic variants in BEST1

BACKGROUND

Pathogenic variants in BEST1 can cause autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive dystrophy, typically associated with distinct retinal phenotypes. In heterozygous cases, the disorder is commonly characterized by yellow sub-macular lesions in the early stages, known as Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD). Biallelic variants usually cause a more severe phenotype including diffuse retinal pigment epithelial irregularity and widespread generalized progressive retinopathy, known as autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB). This study describes three cases with clinical changes consistent with BVMD, however, unusually associated with autosomal recessive inheritance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Detailed ophthalmic workup included comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, multimodal retinal imaging, full-field and pattern electroretinography (ERG; PERG), and electrooculogram (EOG). Genetic analysis of probands and segregation testing and fundus examination of proband relatives was performed where possible.

RESULTS

Three unrelated cases presented with a clinical phenotype typical for BVMD and were found to have biallelic disease-causing variants in BEST1. PERG P50 and ERG were normal in all cases. The EOG was subnormal (probands 1 and 3) or normal/borderline (proband 2). Probands 1 and 2 were homozygous for the BEST1 missense variant c.139C>T, p.Arg47Cys, while proband 3 was homozygous for a deletion, c.536_538delACA, p.Asn179del. The parents of proband 1 were phenotypically normal. Parents of proband 1 and 2 were heterozygous for the same missense variant.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with biallelic variants in BEST1 can present with a phenotype indistinguishable from BVMD. The same clinical phenotype may not be evident in those harboring the same variants in the heterozygous state. This has implications for genetic counselling and prognosticationA.

A case of recurring acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy successfully treated with intravitreal Ozurdex injection

INTRODUCTION

We describe a case of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy (AEPVM) that recurred 9 years after the initial event. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of recurrent AEPVM showing recovery of retinal and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) function and good visual outcome following treatment with intravitreal corticosteroid.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 45-year-old Caucasian woman first presented with AEVPM in 2009. Her condition spontaneously resolved and she remained stable over several years. 9 years later, her condition recurred with bilateral reduction in visual acuity. Fundus examination revealed multiple small yellowish subretinal lesions across the posterior pole in both eyes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed bilateral cystoid macular oedema (CMO). She was referred for electrophysiology and her electrooculogram findings were in keeping with severe generalised RPE dysfunction bilaterally, with a light peak to dark trough ratio (Arden index) of 110%, comparable to her initial presentation 9 years earlier. She was initially treated with oral steroids with some improvement. However, the maculopathy in the left eye recurred on cessation of oral treatment. A sustained-release 700ug dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex®) was inserted in the left eye to which she responded remarkably, with improvement in visual acuity and complete resolution of the CMO. A year later, at her most recent clinic visit in March 2021, there was no evidence of any further recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Our case demonstrates clinical and imaging findings consistent with recurrence of AEPVM with CMO that has been successfully treated with Ozurdex®.

CHOROIDAL NEVUS ASSOCIATED WITH VITELLIFORM DEPOSITION IN A PATIENT WITH AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT BEST DYSTROPHY

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To describe the clinical, optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus autofluorescence and ultrasound findings of a patient with a choroidal nevus actively exuding vitelliform material in the setting of autosomal dominant Best dystrophy (BD).

METHODS

The patient's clinical course was followed over time with ophthalmic examinations and multimodal imaging.

RESULTS

A 71-year-old male patient with BD was referred for evaluation of a choroidal nevus in the right eye. Dilated fundoscopic examination showed a small pigmented choroidal nevus in the temporal periphery. Over a 3-year period, the nevus developed progressive deposition of vitelliform material along its inferior border. Meanwhile, OCT and fundus photography showed only slight growth. Ultrasound showed no change in height; basal measurements were confounded by the increased vitelliform deposits. Genetic testing confirmed a heterozygous mutation in the BEST1 gene and electrophysiology was consistent with BD.

CONCLUSIONS

Dysfunction of the retinal pigment epithelium associated with BD may cause novel presentations of other conditions such as choroidal nevi. The implication for malignant transformation of a choroidal nevus associated with vitelliform deposit accumulation in this context is unknown.

COVID-19 VACCINE-INDUCED ACUTE EXUDATIVE POLYMORPHOUS VITELLIFORM MACULOPATHY: CASE REPORTS

BACKGROUND

Acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy is a presumed retinal pigment epithelium abnormality that has been reported in patients with neoplasms and under certain classes of drugs. The pathophysiology remains unclear, despite the typical clinical features.

PURPOSE

To report two cases of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy occurring after vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine.

CASE REPORTS

Two adult patients presented with visual disturbance after inoculation with a COVID-19 vaccine. The patients were otherwise healthy and have no family history of retinal dystrophies. Both cases exhibited the following features on multimodal imaging: multifocal hyporeflective lesions involving the macula, elongated photoreceptors, accumulated vitelliform material exhibiting autofluorescence, and lack of fluorescein dye leakage. Evidence of retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction was confirmed by electrooculography.

CONCLUSION

Two cases of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy occurring after COVID-19 vaccination were reported. A relationship between the vaccine and the retinal pigment epithelial abnormality development that led to acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy was postulate, possibly through autoantibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus structural surface glycoprotein antigens that cross react with the normal retinal pigment epithelial cells.

ADULT-ONSET BEST1 -VITELLIFORM DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATED WITH ANGIOID STREAK-LIKE CHANGES IN TWO SIBLINGS

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To describe the association between autosomal dominant Best disease and peripapillary angioid streak-like changes.

METHODS

Case report of two siblings.

RESULTS

A 76-year-old White man was referred for evaluation of bilateral macular changes and worsening visual distortion over the preceding 2 years. Best-corrected visual acuity measured 20/30 in the right eye and 20/80 in the left eye. Funduscopic examination revealed multifocal yellow lesions in the posterior pole that were hyperautofluorescent on short-wavelength excitation and corresponded with subretinal hyperreflective material on optical coherence tomography. The posterior pole examination was interesting because of the juxtapapillary involvement of the vitelliform lesions and the presence of bilateral peripapillary angioid streak-like changes despite no history of conditions associated with angioid streaks. On further workup, an electrooculogram revealed reduced Arden ratios and a known heterozygous missense mutation in BEST1 (c.903T>G; p .D301E) was found. The patient's 69-year-old younger brother was brought in and found to have a remarkably similar phenotype, including the presence of angioid streak-like changes associated with the same BEST1 mutation.

CONCLUSION

These two cases demonstrate the possibility of late-onset multifocal vitelliform disease due to dominantly inherited BEST1 . A consistent phenotype in this family with macular lesions extending into the peripapillary region, associated with angioid streak-like changes, suggests susceptibility of this region to changes in dominant BEST1 -vitelliform macular dystrophy.

Choroidal neovascularization associated with butterfly-shaped pattern dystrophy - a case report

The pattern dystrophies (PDs) are a group of primarily autosomal dominant inherited macular diseases that cause the deposition of lipofuscin in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and may lead to significant vision loss in later life. Patients can develop choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and/ or geographic atrophy (GA) and for this reason they are often misdiagnosed as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We presented a case of a 66-year-old patient complaining of vision loss in the right eye (RE) for 8 months. At the initial examination, his best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.6 in the RE. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) allowed to diagnose butterfly-shaped PD in both eyes with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in the RE. The patient was treated with three intravitreal anti-vascular epithelial growth factor (anti-VEGF, ranibizumab) injections during six weeks intervals, which improved and stabilized the BCVA of the RE to 0.7 during the over two-year observation period. Our report contributes to the still limited data regarding CNV associated with butterfly-shaped PDs and the results of treatment with ranibizumab. Abbreviations: AMD = age-related macular degeneration, anti-VEGF = anti-vascular epithelial growth factor, AOFVD = adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy, BCVA = best corrected visual acuity, CNV = choroidal neovascularization, FAF = fundus autofluorescence, FFA = fundus fluorescein angiography, GA = geographic atrophy, LE = left eye, MIDD = maternally inherited diabetes and deafness, OCT = optical coherence tomography, OCTA = optical coherence tomography angiography, OU = oculus uterque, both eyes, PD = pattern dystrophy, PDSFF = pattern dystrophy simulating fundus flavimaculatus, PDT = photodynamic therapy, PRPH2 = peripherine-2, RE = right eye, RPE = retinal pigment epithelium, VA = visual acuity.

Elaborate Evaluation of Farnsworth Dichotomous D-15 Panel Test Can Help Differentiate between Best Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy and Autosomal Recessive Bestrophinopathy

INTRODUCTION

The colour vision in bestrophinopathies has not been assessed in detail so far. The aim of this study was to explore the extent to which distinct types of bestrophinopathies differ in regard to colour vision deficiencies using Farnsworth Dichotomous D-15 and Lanthony Desaturated D-15 panel tests.

METHODS

Both D-15 tests were performed in 52 eyes of 26 patients with Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD) and 10 eyes of 5 patients with autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB). Two methods were used for a quantitative assessment of the colour vision deficiencies: moment of inertia method and Bowman method. The following parameters were calculated: confusion angle, confusion index (C-index), selectivity index (S-index), total error score (TES), and colour confusion index (CCI).

RESULTS

The median value of confusion angle for all stages of BVMD fell into a narrow range around 62, indicating normal results. The median confusion angle value was 57 in ARB patients within a very wide range down to -82, indicating non-specific deficits. These differences were statistically significant. Significantly abnormal C-index and CCI values were found only in ARB patients, being 2.0 and 1.49, respectively. The majority of parameters of D-15 tests were independent of the visual acuity in both bestrophinopathies.

CONCLUSIONS

Elaborate evaluation of the D-15 panel tests might help establish a differential diagnosis between different bestrophinopathies, as the pattern of the colour vision loss is different between BVMD and ARB. The quantitative parameters of colour vision tests in bestrophinopathies are independent of the visual acuity.

Choroidal Neovascularization Is Common in Best Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy and Plays a Role in Vitelliform Lesion Evolution

OBJECTIVE

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is usually considered to be a late-stage complication in Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD) and can be difficult to diagnose with fluorescein angiography. This study used swept-source (SS) OCT angiography (OCTA) to evaluate the prevalence of CNV in BVMD, identify structural features associated with CNV, and provide insight into the role of CNV in vitelliform lesion evolution.

DESIGN

Institutional review board-approved, retrospective, cross-sectional, and longitudinal study.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with molecularly confirmed BVMD.

METHODS

Charts from consecutive patients with BVMD imaged with SS-OCTA (PLEX Elite 9000, Carl-Zeiss Meditec Inc) at the University of Iowa from September 2017 to October 2021 were reviewed. Clinical data, including age, gender, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and treatment with intravitreal anti-VEGF injections were recorded. The presence of CNV on SS-OCTA was determined by expert graders and correlated with structural features, such as interstitial fluid, subretinal fluid, nodular subretinal pillar, focal choroidal excavation (FCE), and subfoveal choroidal thickness, with a P value of < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Presence of CNV on SS-OCTA and correlation with structural features on SS-OCT.

RESULTS

A total of 53 eyes from 27 patients (13 women; 48.1%) were included. The mean age was 45 years (range, 8-79 years), and the mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA was 0.38 (range, 0-1). Choroidal neovascularization was identified on SS-OCTA in 27 eyes (50.9%), of which 63.0% had a vitelliform (Gass stage 2) lesion. In 40.7% (11 of 27) of eyes, there was no prior clinical diagnosis of CNV. Other structural features associated with CNV included FCEs (15.1%, 8 of 53 eyes) and nodular pillars (15.1%, 8 of 53 eyes) (P < 0.01). Seven patients had available longitudinal imaging, and most of these patients had CNV visible on SS-OCTA (71.4%; 10 of 14 eyes).

CONCLUSION

Choroidal neovascularization is common in BVMD, including in the early stages of the disease. The presence of FCEs or nodular pillars should heighten the clinical suspicion of CNV, which may accelerate vitelliform lesion evolution.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

ACUTE EXUDATIVE POLYMORPHOUS VITELLIFORM MACULOPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH PRIMARY EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS INFECTION

PURPOSE

To report a case of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy associated with primary Epstein-Barr virus infection.

METHODS

Multimodal imaging including color fundus photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, blue-light fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography.

RESULTS

A 24-year-old otherwise healthy woman presented with an acute bilateral visual disturbance associated with cervical lymphadenopathy. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showed bilateral foveal serous retinal detachment (SRD) with thickening of the ellipsoid zone throughout the posterior pole corresponding to hyperautofluorescence on fundus autofluorescence, faint diffuse hyperfluorescence on fluorescein angiography without leakage, and mild late hyperfluorescence on indocyanine green angiography. Systemic workup revealed an acute Epstein-Barr virus infection. Within several weeks, multifocal SRDs developed in the macula and paramacula. The SRDs then became increasingly hyperautofluorescent with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showing subretinal hyperreflective material. This vitelliform material then slowly resolved while the thickness of the surrounding ellipsoid zone normalized. The fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography appeared normal at Month 8. Visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes at all times. No treatment was initiated.

CONCLUSION

Acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy may be associated with an acute Epstein-Barr virus infection. Acutely, multimodal imaging revealed findings consistent with RPE dysfunction and reduced photopigment density. Subsequent accumulation of vitelliform material gradually resolved over an 8-month follow-up.

Coronavirus Disease 2019-induced Acute Exudative Polymorphous Vitelliform Maculopathy

Acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy (AEPVM) is a rare entity characterized by acute multifocal macular detachment with polymorphous subretinal vitelliform deposits. The disease is a presumed retinal pigment epithelial dysfunction and is reported to occur with malignancies. We report a case of a 32-year-old otherwise healthy woman who presented with an acute bilateral visual disturbance a few days after testing positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Her initial visual acuity was 6/6 in both eyes. Fundus examination revealed bilateral multifocal round yellowish subretinal deposits. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showed bilateral foveal serous retinal detachment with subretinal hyperreflective materials consistent with vitelliform deposits. Systemic workup to exclude malignancies and genetic diseases was unremarkable. The patient was observed without treatment, and the vitelliform materials gradually resolved over 18 months of follow-up. In our era of the global pandemic, AEPVM may be associated with COVID-19 infection.

The Clinical Features and Genetic Spectrum of a Large Cohort of Chinese Patients With Vitelliform Macular Dystrophies

PURPOSE

To provide the clinical and genetic characteristics of a large cohort of Chinese patients with vitelliform macular dystrophies.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

One hundred and thirty-four unrelated Chinese patients diagnosed with Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD), autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB), or adult vitelliform macular dystrophy (AVMD) were enrolled. Detailed ophthalmic examinations and genetic testing on vitelliform macular dystrophy-related genes were performed. Genotype and phenotype association were analyzed among different diagnostic groups.

RESULTS

In total, 87 BVMD, 30 AVMD, and 17 ARB patients were enrolled in this study. Genetic analysis identified 37 BEST1 mutations in 53 patients with BVMD and ARB. Of these, 5 variants (c.254A>C, c.291C>G, c.722C>G, c.848_850del, c.1740-2A>C) were novel. The variant c.898G>A was a hotspot mutation, which was identified in 13 patients with BVMD and 1 patient with ARB. There were significant differences of ocular biometric parameters among patients with homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations, heterozygous mutations, and those without mutations of BEST1. Homozygous or compound heterozygous patients had shortest axial length (AL), shallowest anterior chamber depth (ACD), and highest intraocular pressure (IOP); patients without mutations had longest AL, deepest ACD, and lowest IOP; and heterozygous patients were in between. Moreover, 7 patients harboring heterozygous mutations in BEST1 and 3 patients without BEST1 mutations showed similar clinical appearance to ARB in our cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest sample size study of Chinese vitelliform macular dystrophy patients. Our results indicated that assessment of angle-closure risk is a necessary consideration for all types of BEST1-related vitelliform macular dystrophies. The study expanded both the clinical and genetic findings of 3 common types of vitelliform macular dystrophies in a Chinese population.

Inherited Macular Dystrophies in a Tertiary Care Centre

BACKGROUND

Inherited macular dystrophies constitute a group of diseases characterized by bilateral central visual loss with symmetrical macular abnormalities usually presenting in the first two decades of life. The aim of this study were to find out the demographic characteristics and disease pattern of inherited retinal dystrophies in subjects attending retina outpatient department in a tertiary care center.

METHODS

An observational study among twenty-six participants diagnosed as macular dystrophy visiting a tertiary care centre in Nepal, during January 2018 to June 2018 were included in the study. Detailed history, slit lamp examination, dilated fundus examination, coloured fundus photography, full field electroretinogram, multifocal electroretinogram, automated visual field and colour vision were done.

RESULTS

A total of 52 eyes of 26 subjects were diagnosed with macular dystrophy. The male to female ratio was 1:1. The mean age of presentation was 28.38 years. Most common symptom was blurring of vision seen in 96.15%.The mean visual acuity was 0.67 log mar units in right eye and 0.71 log mar units in the left eye. The most common macular dystrophy was cone dystrophy followed by adult vitelliform macular dystrophy and Stargardts dystrophy.

CONCLUSIONS

Cone dystrophy is the most common followed by Stargardt's disease and adult vitelliform macular dystrophy. Most presented in the first two decades of life and the most common presenting symptom was blurring of vision.

OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY FOR THE DETECTION OF SECONDARY CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION IN VITELLIFORM MACULAR DYSTROPHY

PURPOSE

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is used to assess vascular abnormality in advanced stage vitelliform macular dystrophy (VMD2).

METHODS

Multimodal imaging including spectral domain (SD) OCT, autofluorescence (AF), fluorescein (FA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) as well as optical coherence tomography angiography were performed.

PATIENTS

Two eyes in one young patient with diagnosed vitelliform macular dystrophy were investigated for progressive visual dysfunction.

RESULTS

Optical coherence tomography angiography identified neovascular formation within the outer retina and the choriocapillaris respectively while all other imaging methods were inconclusive.

CONCLUSION

Optical coherence tomography angiography was superior to conventional angiography in the detection of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in advanced retinal disorders like vitelliform macular dystrophy.

Choroidal Caverns: A Previously Unreported Optical Coherence Tomography Finding in Best Vitelliform Dystrophy

Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (VMD) is an autosomal dominant inherited dystrophy, most frequently caused by mutations in the BEST1 gene. The authors describe "choroidal caverns," a previously unreported optical coherence tomography finding in the choriocapillary and choroid of Best VMD. Histopathologic examination in eyes with Best VDM shows extensive deposition of lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) throughout the retina and accumulation of fibrillar material under the RPE and in the choroid. This supports the hypothesis that choroidal caverns could be a sign of the degenerative process involving the choroid in eyes with Best VMD. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:284-287.].

Atypical presentation of Best Disease

CLINICAL CASE

A 43-year-old man was treated for reduced visual acuity, initially attributed to strabismic amblyopia. On fundus examination, bilateral neurosensory detachments (NSD) were observed in posterior pole, surrounded by deposits of lipofuscin. His 3-year-old son was also examined and circumscribed NSD was observed with the presence of pseudohypopyon in OD and a fibrosis scar in OS. The Arden ratio were decreased in electrooculography (EOG) in both patients, and genetic studies revealed a single mutation of the BEST1 gene.

DISCUSSION

The existence of extensive bilateral NSD may be an unusual form of presentation of Best disease. Family history, EOG, and genetic study supported this diagnosis.

A CASE OF CONE DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATED WITH CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION

PURPOSE

To report a case of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in a patient with cone dystrophy (CD).

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

A 20-year-old woman presented with diminished vision in her right eye. Fundus examination showed perifoveal retinal pigment epithelial changes and retinal hemorrhage consistent with subretinal CNV in the right eye, and mild retinal pigment epithelial changes with a dull foveal reflex in the left eye. Optical coherence tomography analysis and fundus fluorescein angiography also confirmed the subfoveal CNV in the right eye. Electroretinography showed decreased amplitudes in photopic and 30-Hz flicker tests in both eyes, which confirmed cone dystrophy. A single intravitreal ranibizumab injection resolved the edema and stabilized the CNV during the follow-up of 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Cone dystrophy is an inherited ocular disorder characterized by loss of cone photoreceptors. Association of CNV has been reported in patients with fundus flavimaculatus, best dystrophy, gyrate atrophy, choroideremia, retinitis pigmentosa, adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy, Sorsby macular dystrophy, Bietti crystalline dystrophy, and myotonic dystrophy-related macular dystrophy. We report a case of a patient with CD in whom CNV developed in one eye and responded to a single ranibizumab injection.

Genetic variations in Bestrophin‑1 and associated clinical findings in two Chinese patients with juvenile‑onset and adult‑onset best vitelliform macular dystrophy

Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD) is a hereditary retinal disease characterized by the bilateral accumulation of large egg yolk‑like lesions in the sub‑retinal and sub‑retinal pigment epithelium spaces. Macular degeneration in BVMD can begin in childhood or adulthood. The variation in the age of onset is not clearly understood. The present study characterized the clinical characteristics of two Chinese patients with either juvenile‑onset BVMD or adult‑onset BVMD and investigated the underlying genetic variations. A 16‑year‑old male (Patient 1) was diagnosed with juvenile‑onset BVMD and a 43‑year‑old female (Patient 2) was diagnosed with adult‑onset BVMD. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were performed, including best‑corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit‑lamp examination, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, fundus fluorescein angiography imaging and Espion electrophysiology. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes collected from these patients, their family members, and 200 unrelated subjects within in the same population. The 11 exons of the bestrophin‑1 (BEST1) gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and directly sequenced. Both patients presented lesions in the macular area. In Patient 1, a heterozygous mutation c.903T>G (p.D301E) in exon 8 of the BEST1 gene was identified. This mutation was not present in any of the unaffected family members or the normal controls. Polymorphism phenotyping and the sorting intolerant from tolerant algorithm predicted that the amino acid substitution D301E in bestrophin‑1 protein was damaging. In Patient 2, a single nucleotide polymorphism c.1608C>T (p.T536T) in exon 10 of the BEST1 gene was identified. These findings expand the spectrum of BEST1 genetic variation and will be valuable for genetic counseling and the development of therapeutic interventions for patients with BVMD.

Novel Presenting Phenotype in a Child With Autosomal Dominant Best's Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy

Best's macular dystrophy (BMD) usually manifests with visual failure in the first or second decade of life; however, there is a large variability in expressivity of the disease, and some patients have no manifestation other than a pathological electro-oculogram (EOG). Autosomal dominant Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy (AD-BVMD) has a very specific phenotype that varies with the stage of the disease. In recent years, the authors have seen description of another clinical entity known as autosomal recessive BMD. Herein, the authors describe a 5-year-old girl referred from a peripheral hospital for investigation with a positive family history of BMD. Clinical findings included best-corrected visual acuity of 0.325 and 0.300 in the right and left eyes, respectively, by Sonksen logMar test, full color vision, normal orthoptic examination, and a small degree of hyperopia consistent with age. Macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed intraretinal fluid cysts and EOG showed reduced Arden ratio. Genetic testing was done for the proband and her father, who were found to be heterozygous for c.37C>T p. (Arg13Cys). The proband's younger sister will be reviewed and followed up once of age. The authors identified a new phenotype of AD-BVMD; although this is a single patient, more young children with BMD can now be scanned with the availability of hand-held OCT with better knowledge of the phenotype. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:580-585.].

Paraneoplastic cloudy vitelliform submaculopathy in primary vitreoretinal lymphoma

PURPOSE

To describe the nature and evolution of paraneoplastic cloudy vitelliform submaculopathy in patients with primary vitreoretinal lymphoma and propose a mechanism for its development and course.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational case series.

METHODS

Three patients presenting with unilateral cloudy vitelliform submaculopathy based on clinical examination, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) imaging and ultimately diagnosed with primary vitreoretinal lymphoma and/or primary central nervous system lymphoma were analyzed.

RESULTS

In all 3 patients, cloudy vitelliform submaculopathy appeared with hazy indistinct yellow subretinal material resembling the vitelliform lesions found in acute exudative paraneoplastic polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy, although with less distinct appearance and without intense hyper-autofluorescence. In all 3 patients, cloudy vitelliform submaculopathy was transient, showed spontaneous regression within 3 months, and preceded the diagnosis of lymphoma, suggestive of a paraneoplastic process. The diagnosis of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma and/or primary central nervous system lymphoma was made within 6 months with classic features of new intraretinal or sub-retinal pigment epithelium infiltration of lymphoma in the peripheral retina (n = 2) and hyperintense lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging (n = 2). With SD OCT imaging, the cloudy vitelliform subretinal lesions appeared as hyperreflective debris above the retinal pigment epithelium band in all 3 eyes, and were associated with an irregularly thickened and rippled retinal pigment epithelium band in 2 eyes. Resolution of the cloudy submacular lesions resulted in outer retinal atrophic changes in all 3 eyes.

CONCLUSION

Paraneoplastic cloudy vitelliform submaculopathy, a form of lymphoma-associated retinopathy, can precede the diagnosis of primary vitreoretinal lymphoma or primary central nervous system lymphoma and can regress spontaneously, leaving outer retinal abnormalities.

Near-infrared fundus autofluorescence in subclinical best vitelliform macular dystrophy

PURPOSE

To describe fundus autofluorescence (FAF) on short-wavelength FAF and near-infrared FAF in the subclinical form of Best vitelliform macular dystrophy.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional prospective study.

METHODS

Patients affected by the subclinical form of Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (positive testing for BEST1 gene mutation, fully preserved best-corrected visual acuity, normal fundus appearance) were recruited. Each patient underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including electro-oculogram (EOG), short-wavelength FAF, near-infrared FAF, spectral-domain OCT (SD OCT), and microperimetry. Main outcome measure was the identification of abnormal FAF patterns.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients showing mutations in the BEST1 gene were examined. Forty patients presented a bilateral Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, 2 patients showed a unilateral Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, and 4 patients had a bilateral subclinical form. Patients with the unilateral form (2 eyes) and patients with the subclinical form (8 eyes) were analyzed. Three BEST1 sequence variants were identified: c.73C>T (p.Arg25Trp), c.28G>A (p.Ala10Thr), and c.652C>G (p.Arg218Gly). Short-wavelength FAF was normal in all eyes. Near-infrared FAF detected a pattern consisting of a central hypo-autofluorescence surrounded by a round area of hyper-autofluorescence. A bilateral reduced EOG response was detected in 1 patient. SD OCT revealed a thicker, well-defined, and more reflective interdigitation zone in 2 patients (4 eyes, 40%). Microperimetry of the central 10 degrees revealed a slight, diffuse reduction of retinal sensitivity. Mean retinal sensitivity within the central 2 and 4 degrees was lower and matched the hypo-autofluorescent area detected on near-infrared FAF. Additional relative scotomata were detected within the 10-degree area. No change in clinical, functional, or FAF pattern was found over the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Subclinical Best vitelliform macular dystrophy is characterized by the absence of biomicroscopic fundus abnormality and fully preserved visual acuity, but shows an abnormal near-infrared FAF pattern, with central hypo-autofluorescence.

Best vitelliform macular dystrophy in a Swedish family: genetic analysis and a seven-year follow-up of photodynamic treatment of a young boy with choroidal neovascularization

PURPOSE

To determine the mutation in a Swedish family with Best disease (vitelliform macular dystrophy; VMD) and to investigate the short- and long-term effects of photodynamic treatment (PDT) on subretinal neovascularization in a young boy.

METHODS

The five members of three generations of a family with VMD underwent a thorough ophthalmological examination, including best-corrected visual acuity (VA), visual field, colour vision, biomicroscopy of the posterior segment (dilated), fundus photography and electro-oculography (EOG). For the proband, an eleven-year-old boy, his father and grandfather, dark adaptation test, angiography and electroretinography (ERG) were also performed. After PCR amplification, the genotype was determined by cleavage with restriction enzyme, specific for the W93C allele.

RESULTS

Four family members had an abnormal EOG response. All showed the W93C mutation in the VMD2 gene. Visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to 20/250. The fundus manifestations varied from minor pigmentary changes over egg yolk-like lesions to chorioretinal atrophy, and fluorescein angiography showed corresponding pathology. In the proband, VA decreased during follow-up from 0.5 (20/40) to 0.08 (20/250) due to a subfoveal neovascularization with haemorrhage, and PDT with visudyne was begun. The haemorrhage resolved within 2 months, and after three treatments, VA had increased to 0.25 (20/80). One year later, acuity had improved to 0.5 (20/40), and this result was stable throughout the 7 years of the follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The mutation was determined to be W93C, the most common mutation in VMD in Sweden. In an eleven-year-old boy with subretinal neovascularization, PDT seemed to be beneficial also in a long-term follow-up.

Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy in 10- and 31-month-old siblings

There are limited reports of Best's disease in children younger than 3 years. This is a case series of two family members aged 10 and 31 months with Best's disease. To the authors' knowledge, the 10-month-old male infant is the youngest patient with Best's disease documented by fundus photography.

Best disease presenting as a giant serous pigment epithelial detachment

PURPOSE

To report a case of Best disease presenting as a giant serous pigment epithelial detachment and misdiagnosed as central serous chorioretinopathy.

METHODS

Clinical examination and multimodal imaging, including color fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, fundus autofluorescence, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography are presented, as well as the results of electrooculography.

RESULTS

A 54-year-old Asian man underwent photodynamic therapy for a large serous pigment epithelial detachment presumed to be due to central serous chorioretinopathy. When the lesion was recalcitrant to therapy, further investigation revealed severely decreased Arden ratios consistent with Best disease.

CONCLUSION

There is a wide spectrum in the clinical presentation of Best disease. Diagnostic uncertainty can be elucidated with fundus autofluorescence, spectral domain optical coherence tomography imaging, electrooculography, and genetic testing.

[Clinical variability of Best's disease]

Retrospective view of the various phenotypes 20 persons affected by classic solitary form of vitelliform macular dystrophy, in 3 pedigrees with autosomal dominant transmission and in 4 single cases. Long-term monitoring allows to observe the variability of expression, from classic course to peculiarity of the clinical expression in the disc development and their corresponding functions of the central retina.

[Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy associated with choroidal neovascularization]

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a child with a sudden loss of vision of the left eye. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed vitelliform lesions in both foveal centers, as well as an adjacent hemorrhage in his left eye. Fluorescein angiography confirmed the presence of a neovascular membrane in his left eye. The electrooculogram showed disease. According to complementary studies the patient was diagnosed with Best's disease associated with choroidal neovascularization.

DISCUSSION

The diagnosis of Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy is often a casual finding as visual acuity tends to remain stable for long periods of time. A sudden deterioration in vision may suggest complications, such as choroidal neovascularization.

Association of pattern dystrophy with an HTRA1 single-nucleotide polymorphism

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate if adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy (AOFVD) and butterfly-shaped pigment dystrophy (BSPD) are associated with risk single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

METHODS

This was a tertiary referral center-based cross-sectional study including 35 consecutive patients with BSPD and AOFVD, 317 patients with AMD, and 159 unaffected individuals. Demographics, clinical information, and ophthalmic imaging studies were collected. Sequencing was performed for the peripherin/RDS and BEST1 genes, and genotyping was performed for SNPs in the genes for complement factor H (CFH) (rs1061170), HTRA1 (rs11200638), and complement component 3 (C3) (rs2231099).

RESULTS

Adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy and BSPD were diagnosed in 24 (68.6%) and 11 (31.4%) of the 35 patients, respectively. The mean (SD) age of patients with pattern dystrophy (PD) was 75.3 (10) years and median visual acuity was 0.7. Pattern dystrophy was associated with the HTRA1 risk allele compared with unaffected individuals (odds ratio, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.11-2.66; P = .03). The HTRA1 SNP showed similar prevalence in patients with AMD and PD. The CFH risk allele was significantly less common in patients with PD compared with patients with AMD (odds ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.28-0.76; P = .002). No mutations in peripherin/RDS or BEST1 were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

The AOFVD and BSPD phenotypes are associated with an HTRA1 risk SNP. These phenotypes often present in elderly individuals who do not carry peripherin/RDS gene mutations and are associated with retinal pigment epithelium alterations and increased risk for choroidal neovascularization. Further research is required to evaluate if AOFVD and BSPD phenotypes in aged individuals are associated with AMD.

Giant macular hole with Best's disease in a young boy

An eight-year-old boy presented with decreased near and distance vision in both eyes. The right ocular fundus showed a giant macular hole surrounded by a vitelliform ring. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) revealed a full-thickness macular hole with cystic spaces at the edges. The left fundus had an egg-yolk like appearance of 1.5-disc diameter at the macular region. SD-OCT showed an optically empty space between retinal pigment epithelium and the neurosensory retina. Fundus autofluorescence confirmed the presence of lipofuscin in both eyes. The Arden ratio was 1.38 for the right eye and 1.61 for the left. There was no surgical intervention because of the poor prognosis due to large size of the hole. Environmental modification and contrast-enhancing measures were explained to the patient and his parents.

[Adult onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy]

We present the case report of a 43 years old patient with adult-onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy, a rare disease described for the first time by Gass in 1974. The differential diagnosis was made particularly with Best disease, based on the aspect, the progression of the macular lesions, and the EOG.