Choroidal findings in Bietti's crystalline dystrophy

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Bietti's crystalline dystrophy is a rare inherited retinal disease.
• Choroidal involvement in Bietti's crystalline dystrophy is not well understood.

Observation:

• A 43-year-old woman with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy underwent advanced optical coherence tomography (OCT).
• Enhanced depth imaging spectral domain OCT and en face OCT were utilized for detailed imaging.

Findings:

• Severe choroidal thinning was observed (123 μm in the right eye, 110 μm in the left eye).
• Crystal deposits were identified not only in the retina but also within the choroid.
• En face OCT clearly visualized intraretinal crystals as hyperreflective dots across retinal layers and within the choroid.

Implications:

• This study provides novel insights into the choroidal manifestations of Bietti's crystalline dystrophy.
• The findings highlight the presence and distribution of crystal deposits in the choroid.
• Understanding these choroidal abnormalities is crucial for diagnosing and managing Bietti's crystalline dystrophy.