Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Retinal Pigment Epithelium Transplantation in a Non-human Primate Model for Degenerative Retinal Diseases
Published on: June 14, 2021
Retinal anti-bipolar cell antibodies in a patient with paraneoplastic retinopathy and colon carcinoma
1Department of Neurology, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, Wisconsin 54449, USA. jacobsod@mfldclin.edu
Purpose:
To describe clinical, electrophysiologic, and immunologic features of a unique paraneoplastic retinopathy with characteristics of cancer-associated and melanoma-associated retinopathy.
Methods:
Serial assessment of clinical visual function, electroretinography, and assays of anti-retinal antibodies.
Results:
A 51-year-old woman with progressive visual glare for 1 year had normal visual acuity and color vision, paracentral scotomas, and a normal-appearing retina. Electroretinography revealed no responses of the right eye and attenuated responses of the left eye, especially those recorded under scotopic conditions. Anti-bipolar antibodies were detected. Subsequent evaluation uncovered adenocarcinoma of the colon. Several months after resection of the tumor and chemotherapy, no evidence existed of cancer or anti-bipolar cell antibodies, and electroretinography responses were markedly improved.
Conclusion:
The presence of anti-bipolar cell antibodies in a patient with retinal dysfunction is not specific of melanoma-associated retinopathy. Effective treatment of cancer may result in elimination of associated anti-retinal antibodies and improved retinal function.
