[Fundus flavimaculatus and choroidal neovascularization]
1Clinique Ophtalmologique Universitaire de Créteil, Hôpital Intercommunal et Henri Mondor (Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris), Université Paris XII, Créteil, France. dompawlak@aol.com
Journal Francais D'Ophtalmologie
|March 9, 2006
Summary
Late-onset Stargardt disease can present with choroidal neovascular complications, mimicking age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This finding suggests these complications may be more common than previously thought in fundus flavimaculatus.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Genetics
Background:
- Fundus flavimaculatus (FFM) is typically a juvenile-onset Stargardt disease with poor visual outcomes.
- A late-onset form of FFM, presenting similarly to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), has been recently described.
- Choroidal neovascular complications are infrequent in Stargardt disease.
Observation:
- A case of FFM diagnosed in a patient over 50 years old is presented.
- The patient developed juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization, requiring laser treatment.
- A recurrence of retrofoveal neovascularization was subsequently treated with perifoveal laser therapy.
Findings:
- Late-onset Stargardt disease shares clinical similarities with AMD, potentially causing diagnostic confusion.
- Pathophysiology of FFM involves pigmentary epithelium alterations leading to Bruch's membrane rupture and choroidal neovascularization, similar to AMD.
- Choroidal neovascular complications are possible in late-onset Stargardt disease.
Implications:
- Increased recognition of choroidal neovascularization in late-onset Stargardt disease is warranted.
- Understanding the shared pathophysiology between FFM and AMD may improve diagnostic accuracy.
- This highlights the importance of considering Stargardt disease in older patients presenting with features of AMD.
