Intraretinal crystalline deposits in neovascular age-related macular degeneration

The purpose of this study was to describe intraretinal crystalline deposits detected in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

A retrospective review of patients seen during a 6-month period with the diagnosis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration was performed to identify patients with intraretinal crystalline deposits, defined as pinpoint refractile bodies within the neurosensory retina. The characteristics of the deposits, including their shape, size, distribution, and location within the retina, were determined by analyzing color and red-free fundus photographs and spectral domain-optical coherence tomography images.

Fourteen eyes of 13 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration manifesting intraretinal crystalline deposits were identified. The patients had no history of ocular or systemic disease or prior medication use known to be associated with intraretinal crystals. Intravitreal antivascular endothelial growth factor injection was used in 10 eyes, laser photocoagulation in 3 eyes, and intravitreal triamcinolone in 1 eye. The retinal crystals were detected in the macula overlying or adjacent to the areas of choroidal neovascularization. The crystalline deposits could be localized with spectral domain-optical coherence tomography to both the outer nuclear and the outer plexiform layers.

Intraretinal crystalline deposits localized to the outer nuclear and outer plexiform layers can be detected in eyes with a history of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, often after treatment with a variety of different modalities. Potential etiologies of these deposits include residual lipid material from choroidal neovascularization leakage, degenerated Müller cell elements, and because these deposits were found in eyes with assorted forms of treatment, an external factor such as diet may play a role.