Vitelliform maculopathy in MELAS syndrome

We present a unique case of foveomacular vitelliform lesions in a patient with metabolic encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS).

After performing large panel next generation sequencing genetic testing, there was no likely alternative genetic etiology for vitelliform maculopathy in this patient.

We present a rare case of a visually asymptomatic pediatric patient with MELAS and vitelliform maculopathy, which may be part of the spectrum of retinal manifestations in MELAS. Pediatric-onset vitelliform maculopathy in MELAS may be under-diagnosed due to its asymptomatic nature. Given the known risk of choroidal neovascularization in vitelliform maculopathy, it is important to identify these patients for proper surveillance.