[Diffuse retinal epitheliopathy: study of 30 eyes]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases
• Medical Research

Context:

• Diffuse retinal epitheliopathy is a rare condition affecting the retinal pigment epithelium.
• Understanding its long-term prognosis and associated risk factors is crucial for patient management.

Purpose:

• To investigate the long-term clinical course and visual outcomes of patients with diffuse retinal epitheliopathy.
• To identify potential associations between this condition and systemic factors.

Summary:

• This retrospective study analyzed 17 patients (30 eyes) with diffuse retinal epitheliopathy over a minimum of 5 years.
• A significant association was found with systemic corticosteroid treatment post-kidney transplantation (10 cases).
• Common comorbidities included arterial hypertension (9 cases), diabetes (2 cases), and psychological stress (2 cases).
• Mean follow-up was 12 years, with 17 eyes experiencing vision loss of at least 3 lines.
• Vision decrease was linked to foveal pigment epithelium atrophy (15 eyes) or serous detachment (2 eyes).

Impact:

• The findings highlight the potential for severe, irreversible vision loss in diffuse retinal epitheliopathy.
• Systemic corticosteroid use, particularly after kidney transplantation, emerges as a significant risk factor.
• This research informs clinical practice regarding monitoring and management strategies for affected individuals.