[Paraneoplastic retinopathy]

Paraneoplastic retinopathy (PR) mainly includes cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) and melanoma-associated retinopathy (MAR). Emerging evidences indicate that PR is mediated by immune cross-reaction between circulating antibodies originally generated against remote tumor with antigens expressed on retinal neurons. It is believed that CAR is a consequence of the autoantibodies against the photoreceptors and MAR is the autoantibodies against the retinal ON-bipolar cells. Recoverin autoantibody in serum is closely related to the pathogenesis of CAR, and the inactivation of TRPM1 channel plays a key role in dysfunction of ON-bipolar cells in MAR. PR is characterized by visual dysfunctions, including decreased vision, night blindness, shimmering or flickering, and abnormalities of symbolic electroretinogram appearances. Based on the history of tumors, ophthalmic symptoms, and existence of circulating antibodies, it is easy to make a diagnosis of PR. Immunosuppressants and glucocorticoids may improve the visual dysfunctions in PR subjects.