Heterozygous mutation in OTX2 associated with early-onset retinal dystrophy with atypical maculopathy

Heterozygous mutations in OTX2 have been associated with a range of ocular and pituitary abnormalities. We report a novel heterozygous deletion in OTX2 underlying early-onset retinal dystrophy with atypical maculopathy.

Clinical examination included electroretinography and multimodal retinal imaging. Molecular genetic testing was composed of next-generation sequencing of a panel of retinal dystrophy genes.

A now 17-year-old boy presented 12 years earlier with a history of progressively poor vision since birth, nyctalopia, and early-onset retinal dystrophy with atypical maculopathy. He also had bilateral microphthalmos and a slim prepubertal appearance; growth hormone levels were within normal ranges. Next-generation sequencing of a retinal dystrophy gene panel revealed a heterozygous deletion c.485delC (p.Pro162G.Infs*24) in exon 5 of OTX2.

This second report of maculopathy associated with a heterozygous mutation in OTX2 confirms that mutations in OTX2 should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical hereditary maculopathy, with or without rod-cone dystrophy.