Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026
Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Published on: May 26, 2023
Waldenström's macroglobulinemia-associated retinopathy
H Nida Sen1, Chi-Chao Chan, Rafael C Caruso
1Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 10N112, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892-1857, USA.
Objective:
To report the clinical, electrophysiologic, and immunopathologic findings in a patient with progressive retinal degeneration associated with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.
Design:
Case report with immunohistochemical studies.
Methods:
A 46-year-old female with elevated serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels complained of photophobia and photopsias. Complete ophthalmic examinations including electrophysiologic testing and hematologic evaluations were performed over a 3-year period. Immunohistochemical studies to determine the presence of serum antiretinal antibodies were evaluated using confocal microscopy.
Results:
Examination of the patient's fundus remained normal, although there was deterioration in her visual acuity, visual field, and electroretinogram over the follow-up period. Waldenström's macroglobulinemia was diagnosed by bone marrow biopsy. Indirect immunohistochemistry revealed reactivity of the patient's serum against the photoreceptor-connecting cilium.
Conclusion:
The paraneoplastic retinopathy associated with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia in this patient is presumed to result from antibodies of the IgM subtype reacting to proteins in the retinal photoreceptors.
