Retinitis Punctata Albescens*

The Value of Electroretinography in Identifying Candidate Genes for Inherited Retinal Dystrophies: A Diagnostic Guide

Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are a group of heterogeneous diseases caused by genetic mutations that specifically affect the function of the rod, cone, or bipolar cells in the retina. Electroretinography (ERG) is a diagnostic tool that measures the electrical activity of the retina in response to light stimuli, and it can help to determine the function of these cells. A normal ERG response consists of two waves, the a-wave and the b-wave, which reflect the activity of the photoreceptor cells and the bipolar and Muller cells, respectively. Despite the growing availability of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, identifying the precise genetic mutation causing an IRD can be challenging and costly. However, certain types of IRDs present with unique ERG features that can help guide genetic testing. By combining these ERG findings with other clinical information, such as on family history and retinal imaging, physicians can effectively narrow down the list of candidate genes to be sequenced, thereby reducing the cost of genetic testing. This review article focuses on certain types of IRDs with unique ERG features. We will discuss the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of, and ERG findings on, these disorders, emphasizing the unique role ERG plays in their diagnosis and genetic testing.

Impact of Next Generation Sequencing in Unraveling the Genetics of 1036 Spanish Families With Inherited Macular Dystrophies

Purpose

To assess the potential of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies to characterize cases diagnosed with autosomal recessive (ar) or sporadic (s) macular dystrophies (ar/sMD) and describe their mutational spectrum.

Methods

A cohort of 1036 families was classified according to their suspected clinical diagnosis—Stargardt disease (STGD), cone and cone-rod dystrophy (CCRD) or other maculopathies (otherMD). Molecular studies included genotyping microarrays, Sanger sequencing, NGS, and sequencing of intronic regions of the ABCA4 gene. Clinical reclassification was done after the genetic study.

Results

At the end of the study, 677 patients (65%) had a confirmed genetic diagnosis, representing 78%, 63%, and 38% of STGD, CCRD, and otherMD groups of patients, respectively. ABCA4 is the most mutated gene in all groups, and a second pathogenic variant was found in 76% of STGD patients with one previously identified mutated ABCA4 allele. Autosomal dominant or X-linked mutations were found in 5% of cases together with not-MD genes (CHM, EYS, RHO, RPGR, RLBP1, OPA1, and USH2A among others) leading to their reclassification. Novel variants in the very rare genes PLA2G5 and TTLL5 revealed additional phenotypic associations.

Conclusions

This study provides for the first time a genetic landscape of 1036 ar/sMD families according to their suspected diagnosis. The analysis of >200 genes associated with retinal dystrophies and the entire locus of ABCA4 increase the rate of characterization, even regardless of available clinical and familiar data. The use of the suspected a priori diagnosis referred by the clinicians, especially in the past, could lead to clinical reclassifications to other inherited retinal dystrophies.

Cone abnormalities in fundus albipunctatus associated with RDH5 mutations assessed using adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy

PURPOSE

To assess macular photoreceptor abnormalities in eyes with fundus albipunctatus with RDH5 mutation by using adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AO-SLO).

DESIGN

Prospective cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Ten eyes with fundus albipunctatus and 11 normal eyes underwent a full ophthalmologic examination, microperimetry, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT), and imaging with a prototype AO-SLO system. Cone density and spatial organization of the cone mosaic were assessed using AO-SLO images. Statistical analysis was done using data from right eyes of all patients.

RESULTS

Four patients had the same mutation in RDH5 (c.928delC/insGAAG), and 1 patient had a novel mutation in RDH5 (c.718delG). AO-SLO revealed the presence of small patchy dark areas representing cone loss in the macula of all eyes with fundus albipunctatus, including eyes for which fundus photographs showed no macular abnormalities and SD OCT did not reveal any visible defects in the photoreceptor layer. Compared to normal eyes, eyes with fundus albipunctatus demonstrated significantly lower cone density in areas at 0.5 mm from the center of the fovea (P = .020). At 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm from the center of the fovea, eyes with fundus albipunctatus showed fewer cones with 6 neighbors (P = .041 and P = .006). AO-SLO revealed hyperreflective mosaics surrounded by hyporeflective rings in areas corresponding to the retinal flecks.

CONCLUSIONS

Macular cone density is lower and the regularity of the macular cone mosaic spatial arrangement is disrupted in eyes with fundus albipunctatus. AO-SLO imaging is a sensitive quantitative tool for detecting photoreceptor abnormalities in eyes with fundus albipunctatus.

Benign fleck retinal findings on multifocal ERG, microperimetry, and OCT

A middle-aged asymptomatic woman presented with multiple yellow-white flecks in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) affecting both fundi in a symmetrical pattern. The lesions were distributed around the posterior pole and midperiphery but sparing the macula, a picture similar to what was defined by Gass as benign fleck retina. Visual acuity, visual fields, full-field electroretinogram, electrooculogram, and dark adaptation were normal. Multifocal electroretinogram [0] (mfERG) was slightly subnormal in the isopters 17° to 20°. In this same area, microperimetry confirmed a mild decrease in sensitivity more patent in the upper temporal sector where some hypoautofluorescent spots were detected. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) obtained through the flecks revealed a small increase in the thickness of the RPE. Autofluorescence showed increased autofluorescence within the flecks. OCT confirmed the anatomical location of the defect, whereas mfERG and microperimetry demonstrated for the first time that benign fleck retina can entail a functional defect.

Fundus albipunctatus and retinitis punctata albescens in a pedigree with an R150Q mutation in RLBP1

Fundus albipunctatus (FA; OMIM 136880) is a rare form of apparently stationary night blindness characterized by the presence of myriad symmetrical round white dots in the fundus with a greater concentration in the midperiphery. A distantly similar but distinct clinical entity, retinitis punctata albescens (RPA), is also characterized by aggregation of irregular white flecks but is progressive and evolves to generalized atrophy of the retina. We studied 4 consanguineous kindreds diagnosed with FA from Saudi Arabia. Given the substantial phenotypic variation and overlap between different flecked retinal dystrophies, we evaluated all known genes associated with such conditions by both genetic analysis and direct sequencing. In one kindred, KKESH-099, we identified a homozygous R150Q alteration in RLBP1, the gene encoding the cellular retinaldehyde binding protein, associated previously with both recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP) and RPA. Examination of several patients aged 3-20 years over a 9-year period presented no evidence for either RP or RPA. In contrast, clinical examination of individuals with the same mutation in their fourth and fifth decade revealed signs consistent with RPA. The data suggest that the R150Q mutation in RLBP1 may result in RPA with slow progression. More importantly, younger individuals diagnosed with the milder disorder FA thought to be stationary may evolve to a more devastating and progressive phenotype.

Long-term follow-up of the physiologic abnormalities and fundus changes in fundus albipunctatus

Fundus albipunctatus (FA) is considered to be a congenital stationary night-blinding disorder, but there has been no electrophysiologic or photographic documentation of long stability or change. This documentation is presented for two cases followed for 13 to 14 years. The physiologic (functional) deficits appeared to be stable, in support of the concept that FA is not a progressive dystrophy. However, the fundus lesions evolved in appearance from flecks in childhood to relatively permanent punctate dots that increase in number over the years.

Retinitis punctata albescens. A family study

A case report of retinitis punctata albescens in a young medical student is presented. At first, the condition was stationary with no visual problems, but after 3 years, the disease showed progression. After 9 years of follow-up, loss of visual acuity, a central scotoma, large errors in colour vision tests, much deteriorated dark adaptation, greatly diminished cone and rod responses in the electroretinogram, and progression in the myopic refraction were observed. In the family study, 71 of the relatives in four generations were examined. No signs of the disease could be found. Most probably, the disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. However, tracing the ancestors back until the year 1829 no consanguinity could be found between the families of the mother and the father of the proband. As for genetic counseling of the relatives, there is a very small probability of acquiring the disease if marriages between relatives are avoided.

Variable expressivity in fundus albipunctatus

A healthy, 14-year-old girl presented with nyctalopia, good vision, and multiple, irregular, yellowish lesions of the fundus. Dark adaptometry showed prolonged cone and rod branches, elevated thresholds, and the cone-rod transition occurring after 50 minutes in darkness. Her scotopic electroretinogram (ERG) b-wave attained normal amplitudes after 45 minutes of dark adaptation. The half-time for regeneration of rhodopsin after an extensive bleach was 16 minutes, four times longer than normal, and the maximum density difference measured by fundus reflectometry was at the lower limit of the normal range. Although photopigment kinetics were significantly faster than observed in other reported cases of fundus albipunctatus, it appears likely that there is a wide spectrum of functional and funduscopic abnormalities in this disorder. However, fundus appearance, adaptometric findings, and rhodopsin determinations serve to distinguish fundus albipunctatus from other flecked retina diseases.

Benign familial fleck retina

A family with a benign form of fleck retina is described. Seven out of 10 siblings were affected. The consanguinious parents were both normal. The fundi were massively invaded by lesions which appeared as discrete, bright white or yellow flecks situated well behind the retinal blood vessels. The macula was always free. Fluorescein studies revealed a healthy macula and retinal and choroidal blood vessels. The relationship of this benign form to the other forms of fleck retina is discussed.