New insights into acute annular outer retinopathy

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Diseases

Background:

• Acute annular outer retinopathy is an exceptionally rare condition with limited documented cases.
• Understanding its natural history and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings is crucial for diagnosis and management.

Observation:

• This case report utilized Spectralis OCT to visualize the transient intraretinal whitening characteristic of acute annular outer retinopathy.
• OCT imaging captured the disease's progression from acute presentation through convalescence.

Findings:

• Spectral domain OCT revealed hyperreflectivity in the outer nuclear and Henle fiber layers, alongside significant outer retinal atrophy within the affected ring.
• Restoration of foveal photoreceptors was observed, correlating directly with improved visual acuity.
• Progressive atrophy was noted in areas previously exhibiting the characteristic white ring.

Implications:

• This study provides valuable insights into the natural history and varied presentation of acute annular outer retinopathy.
• The detailed OCT findings during acute and convalescent phases may contribute to understanding the potential causation of this rare retinal disorder.