Fundus fluorescein angiography in fundus flavimaculatus and Stargardts disease

Three siblings who had fundus flavimaculatus and two patients who had Stargardts disease were studied by means of fundus fluorescein angiography. The angiograms revealed in all cases an abolished visibility of the chorioidal circulation. New flecks are usually non-fluorescent. Later on, hyperfluorescent areas are seen at identical places both in the preretinal and retinal phases, strongly indicating a window effect of the retinal layer. The missing chorioidal flush is probably due to a blocking effect of the emitting and exciting light. Some of the retinal flecks may fade away, leaving corresponding areas of hyperfluorescence that usually persist. In some cases, however, a previous fluorescent area may become non-fluorescent. The similar angiographic picture may indicate that fundus flavimaculatus and Stargardts disease are different expressions of the same disease.