Hereditary retinal dystrophies and choroidal neovascularization
F Marano1, A F Deutman, A Leys
1Institute of Ophthalmology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Background:
Choroidal neovascularization infrequently occurs in patients affected by hereditary retinal dystrophies.
Methods:
We studied eight patients suffering from different hereditary retinal dystrophies (Best's disease, reticular dystrophy, butterfly-shaped dystrophy, gyrate atrophy, and retinitis pigmentosa) who developed choroidal neovascularization. All patients underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation, electrophysiology, colour vision testing, and fluorescein angiography. In some patients, ICG video-angiography was also performed. Laser treatment was carried out in only one patient.
Results:
The mean duration of follow-up was 41.7 months (range 6-148 months). At CNV diagnosis, the mean VA was 0.23 (range 0.02-0.6). At the last follow-up, mean VA was 0.34 (range HM to 0.9). At the last follow-up, fluorescein angiography showed a focal, atrophic scar in seven eyes, a fibrotic membrane in two eyes and a still active membrane in two cases.
Conclusion:
We emphasize the relatively favourable visual prognosis in patients suffering from inherited retinal dystrophies complicated with choroidal neovascularization. Therapeutic approaches other than laser treatment could be attempted in these patients.
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