Cystoid macular edema in retinitis pigmentosa

Cystoid macular edema was commonly observed in retinitis pigmentosa and documented, fluorangiographically, in 70% (41) of 58 consecutive patients. Macular fluorescence representing the intraretinal accumulation of dye from leaking perifoveal capillaries was best seen by simultaneous projection of early- and late-phase angiograms. This facilitated visualization of dim cystoid staining amid mottled and sometimes confusing hyperfluorescence in the posterior pole. Patients of many different ages demonstrated cystoid macular edema and there was no predominant involvement of any particular age group. Although visual acuity was affected in the majority of patients with cystoid macular edema, 25% had 20/25 or better due, perhaps, to sparing of the fovea. Bone corpuscular pigmentation appeared frequently with cystoid macular edema and we were, therefore, unable to corroborate previous opinions that depicted cystoid macular edema as part of a presumed atypical nonpigmented form of retinitis pigmentosa.