Geographic chorioretinal atrophy in pseudoxanthoma elasticum

LONG-TERM PROGNOSIS OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION COMPLICATING ANGIOID STREAKS

PURPOSE

To report the very long-term visual prognosis of choroidal neovascularization complicating angioid streaks in the antivascular endothelial growth factor era.

METHODS

Retrospective monocentric study aimed at analyzing patients' demographics, choroidal neovascularization features, angioid streak-associated conditions, and previous and current therapies for choroidal neovascularization. The main outcome measures were the quantitative measurement of central retinal pigment epithelial atrophy enlargement by comparing the ratio of pixels involved on automated infrared images acquired by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and the changes in best-corrected visual acuity. The secondary outcome measures were the number of intravitreal injections and the changes in central choroidal thickness and central retinal thickness. Subgroup analyzes were performed to compare macular atrophy extent between eyes of patients with or without proven pseudoxanthoma elasticum ("PXE" or "no PXE") and between eyes previously treated or not with photodynamic therapy ("PDT" or "no PDT").

RESULTS

Thirty-three eyes of 23 patients were included. The mean best-corrected visual acuity decreased significantly from 66 ± 19 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters at the time of the first antivascular endothelial growth factor injection to 52 ± 23 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters at the end of the follow-up (mean follow-up duration: 109 ± 42 months, range: 47-175 months). The ratio of central retinal pigment epithelial atrophy enlargement was 201%, 110%, 240%, and 111% in the PXE, no PXE, PDT, and no PDT groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Despite the use of antivascular endothelial growth factor agents, the very long-term prognosis appeared relatively poor, especially in patients with PXE. This study also suggests that PDT should be used with caution in the management of choroidal neovascularization in eyes with angioid streaks.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Visual Impairment in Patients with Angioid Streaks and Macular Neovascularization

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the incidence and risk factors of visual impairment and complications in eyes with macular neovascularization (MNV) because of angioid streaks (ASs).

DESIGN

Longitudinal multicenter retrospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS

Patients with AS-associated MNV treated with anti-VEGF agents and a follow-up of > 3 months.

METHODS

Clinical and MNV characteristics were collected at baseline. Visual acuity (VA) values and the presence of atrophy or fibrosis were collected at each visit.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Rate of VA change over time and associated factors; the incidence rate of moderate-to-severe visual impairment (MSVI) and blindness and hazard ratio (HR) of candidate risk factors for MSVI; the incidence rate of fibrosis and macular atrophy.

RESULTS

Overall, 84 eyes of 66 patients (39 men, 58%) with a mean (standard deviation) age of 55.7 (13.8) years were followed for a mean (standard deviation) of 67.7 (48.5) months. The median number of anti-VEGF doses per eye was 13. The average rate (95% confidence interval [CI]) of visual loss was +0.04 (0.02-0.06) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution/year (P < 0.001); the visual loss was faster in nonnaive eyes (P = 0.007) and those with better baseline VA (P < 0.001); it was slower in eyes with pattern dystrophy-like features (P = 0.04). The incidence rates (95% CI) of MSVI and blindness were 10.4 (6.88-15)/100-eye-years and 2.33 (1.12-4.29)/100-eye-years. A higher number of injections (HR [95% CI] = 0.45 [0.19-0.94] for receiving ≥ 13 injections vs. < 13; P = 0.03) was protective against MSVI. The incidence rates (95% CI) of fibrosis and macular atrophy were 24.1 (17.5-32.3)/100-eye-years and 14.3 (10.1-19.6)/100-eye-years.

CONCLUSIONS

Eyes with MNV-related AS had a high rate of visual impairment and propensity to macular fibrosis and atrophy. A higher number of injections yielded better chances of maintaining good VA, suggesting the need for intensive treatment.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S)

Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

Phenotypic Features and Genetic Findings in a Cohort of Italian Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum Patients and Update of the Ophthalmologic Evaluation Score

BACKGROUND

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare ectopic calcification genetic disease mainly caused by ABCC6 rare sequence variants. The clinical phenotype is characterized by typical dermatological, ophthalmological and cardiovascular manifestations, whose frequency and severity are differently reported in the literature.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed on 377 PXE patients of Italian origin, clinically evaluated according to the Phenodex Index, who underwent ABCC6 biomolecular analyses. Moreover, 53 PXE patients were further characterized by in-depth ophthalmological examinations.

RESULTS

A total of 117 different ABCC6 rare sequence variants were detected as being spread through the whole gene. The severity of the clinical phenotype was dependent on age, but it was not influenced by gender or by the type of sequence variants. In-depth ophthalmological examinations focused on the incidences of coquille d'oeuf, comet lesions, pattern dystrophy-like lesions, optic disk drusen and posterior-pole atrophy. Conclusion: Given the large number of patients analyzed, we were able to better evaluate the occurrence of less frequent alterations (e.g., stroke, myocardial infarction, nephrolithiasis). A more detailed description of ophthalmological abnormalities allowed us to stratify patients and better evaluate disease progression, thus suggesting a further update of the PXE score system.

Pattern dystrophy-like changes and coquille d'oeuf atrophy in elderly patients affected by pseudoxanthoma elasticum

PURPOSE

To evaluate the retinal features of elderly patients affected by pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective case series of 62 eyes of 31 elderly PXE patients (age > 50 years). Clinical data, ultra-widefield fundus imaging (color, red-free (RF), infra-red imaging (IR), fundus autofluorescence (FAF)), and OCT examinations were collected. Diagnosis was confirmed by genetic testing or skin biopsy.

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients (10 males and 21 females (mean age 61.3 years, range 50-74 years)) were included in our study. Visual acuity ranged from 20/20 Snellen equivalent to 20/200. The mean follow-up was 66.4 ± 20.7 months (range 10-88). Pattern dystrophy-like changes (PD) (52 eyes of 26 patients, 83.8%) and atrophy resembling the "diffuse trickling" pattern described in geographic atrophy were present in the majority of patients. Twenty-three eyes of 12 patients (67.6%) had peripapillary atrophy, 9 eyes of 5 patients (26.4%) macular atrophy, 6 eyes of 3 patients (17.6%) displayed posterior pole atrophy and in 6 eyes of 3 patients (17.6%), atrophy could be detected beyond the vascular arcades (mid-peripheral atrophy). End-stage atrophy covered the entire area indicated as "coquille d'oeuf" (eggshell). Choroidal neovascularization occurred in 49 eyes of 26 patients (94.2%) with PD and in 6 eyes of 3 patients (60%) without PD. Genetic examinations were available for 29 patients (29/31, 93.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

The elderly PXE patients were characterized by pattern dystrophy-like changes with more or less extensive atrophy, progressive over time, which in some cases affected the whole area of the coquille d'oeuf during the course of the disease.

Retinal sensitivity in angioid streaks

PURPOSE

To investigate retinal sensitivity in eyes with angioid streaks (AS).

METHODS

This study was a retrospective observational case series. A total of 13 eyes from 9 patients with AS underwent ophthalmologic examination, including fundus autofluorescence (FAF), spectral domain optical tomography (SD-OCT), and microperimetry. Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy was assessed using FAF. Outer retinal atrophy, more specifically, disruption of the ellipsoid zone, was evaluated using SD-OCT images. The association between retinal sensitivity, RPE atrophy or outer retinal atrophy, and patient demographic characteristics or ophthalmologic findings were investigated.

RESULTS

The mean area of outer retinal atrophy was 14.5 ± 12.9 mm², significantly larger than the mean area of RPE atrophy (9.0 ± 9.0 mm²; P = 0.0028). The average retinal sensitivity in the area of RPE atrophy was 2.4 ± 5.6 dB, that in the area of outer retinal atrophy outside RPE atrophy was 14.6 ± 7.5 dB, and that in the area without any atrophy was 25.6 ± 5.1 dB. Reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) was observed in 5 eyes. Eyes with RPD showed a greater extent of both outer retinal atrophy and RPE atrophy than those without RPD and a greater decrease in mean retinal sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

In eyes with AS, especially in those with RPD, large areas of outer retinal atrophy and RPE atrophy were observed, and the retinal sensitivity in the areas was correspondingly decreased.

Annular Lesions and Catenary Forms in Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE

To describe a series of patients exhibiting annular retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) lesions in the context of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

DESIGN

Retrospective comparative case series.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy were identified from the clinical practices of 3 retina specialists. A subset of patients exhibiting annular RPE lesions on fundus autofluorescence was included for chart review and examination of multimodal imaging (study group). Patients with alternative etiologies for neurosensory detachment or pigment epitheliopathy were excluded. A second consecutive cohort of patients, with acute central serous chorioretinopathy, was also examined for the presence of annular lesions (comparative group).

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy were identified. Fourteen eyes of 12 patients exhibited annular lesions (study eyes). Mean visual acuity of study eyes was 20/27 (logMAR 0.13, SD 0.11). Annular lesions were composed of hyperautofluorescent stellate lesions arranged in an open or closed ring with intervening foci of punctate hypoautofluorescence. Optical coherence tomography showed RPE hyperplasia at the perimeters of annular lesions with loss of ellipsoid reflectivity and preserved RPE at the lesion center. Annular lesions were confined to the posterior poles and appeared to have developed at the margins of chronic neurosensory detachment. Forty-three eyes of 30 patients with acute central serous chorioretinopathy comprised the comparative group and none of these eyes exhibited annular lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Annular lesions occur in up to a fifth of patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy but carry a relatively good visual prognosis. Curvilinear RPE figures and demarcation lines are seen in various retinal conditions but the characteristics of annular lesions described here suggest that they are specific to chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

Ocular manifestations of genetic skin disorders

Genetic skin diseases, or genodermatoses, often have extracutaneous manifestations. Ocular manifestations in particular can have significant clinical implications, like blindness. Other manifestations, such as the corneal opacities that occur in X-linked ichthyosis, are asymptomatic but characteristic of a particular genodermatosis. Ophthalmologic examination can aid in diagnosis when characteristic findings are seen. The genodermatoses with ocular manifestations will be reviewed, but neurocutaneous, syndromes, genetic pigmentary disorders, and genetic metabolic diseases are not included because they are covered elsewhere in this issue.