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Bacci GM, Marziali E, Bargiacchi S, Paques M, Virgili G, Fortunato P, Durand M, Rocca C, Pagliazzi A, Palazzo V, Tiberi L, Vergani D, Landini S, Peron A, Artuso R, Pacini B, Stabile M, Sodi A, Caputo R. Multimodal phenotyping of foveal hypoplasia in albinism and albino-like conditions: a pediatric case series with adaptive optics insights. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15454. [PMID: 38965328 PMCID: PMC11224352 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66326-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between genetic and phenotypic data in a series of patients affected by grade I and II of foveal hypoplasia with stable fixation and good visual acuity using multimodal imaging techniques. All patients underwent complete clinical and instrumental assessment including structural Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), OCT Angiography and Adaptive Optics (AO) imaging. Central macular thickness (CMT), inner nuclear layer (INL), vessel density in superficial capillary plexus were the main variables evaluated with OCT technology. Cone density, cone spacing, cone regularity, cone dispersion and angular density were the parameters evaluated with AO. Genetic evaluation and trio exome sequencing were performed in all affected individuals. Eight patients (3 males and 5 females) with a mean age of 12.62 years (range 8-18) were enrolled. The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.18 ± 0.13 logMAR, mean CMT was 291.9 ± 16.6 µm and INL was 26.2 ± 4.6 µm. The absence of a foveal avascular zone (FAZ) was documented by examination of OCT-A in seven patients in the superficial capillary plexus. However, there was a partial FAZ in the deep plexus in patients P5 and P8. Of note, all the patients presented with major retinal vessels clearly crossing the foveal center. All individuals exhibited a grade I or II of foveal hypoplasia. In 5 patients molecular analyses showed an extremely mild form of albinism caused by compound heterozygosity of a TYR pathogenic variant and the hypomorphic p.[Ser192Tyr;Arg402Gln] haplotype. One patient had Waardenburg syndrome type 2A caused by a de novo variant in MITF. Two patients had inconclusive molecular analyses. All the patients displayed abnormalities on OCT-A. Photoreceptor count did not differ from normal subjects according to the current literature, but qualitative analysis of AO imaging showed distinctive features likely related to an abnormal pigment distribution in this subset of individuals. In patients with foveal hypoplasia, genetic and multimodal imaging data, including AO findings, can help understand the physiopathology of the foveal hypoplasia phenotype. This study confirms that cone density and visual function can both be preserved despite the absence of a pit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo M Bacci
- Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139, Firenze, Italy.
| | - Elisa Marziali
- Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - Sara Bargiacchi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Michel Paques
- Clinical Investigation Center Vision 1423, INSERM-DGOS, Sorbonne Université, Quinze-Vingts Hospital, Paris, France
- Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Gianni Virgili
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- IRCCS - Fondazione Bietti, Rome, Italy
| | - Pina Fortunato
- Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | | | - Camilla Rocca
- Department of Biomedical Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Angelica Pagliazzi
- Nephrology and Renal Transplantation Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Viviana Palazzo
- Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Lucia Tiberi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Debora Vergani
- Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Samuela Landini
- Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Angela Peron
- Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Rosangela Artuso
- Medical Genetics Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Bianca Pacini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Monica Stabile
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pediatrics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Sodi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberto Caputo
- Pediatric Ophthalmology Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Viale Pieraccini 24, 50139, Firenze, Italy
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Sheth V, McLean RJ, Tu Z, Ather S, Gottlob I, Proudlock FA. Visual Field Deficits in Albinism in Comparison to Idiopathic Infantile Nystagmus. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:13. [PMID: 38319668 PMCID: PMC10854418 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.2.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose This is the first systematic comparison of visual field (VF) deficits in people with albinism (PwA) and idiopathic infantile nystagmus (PwIIN) using static perimetry. We also compare best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography measures of the fovea, parafovea, and circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer in PwA. Methods VF testing was performed on 62 PwA and 36 PwIIN using a Humphrey Field Analyzer (SITA FAST 24-2). Mean detection thresholds for each eye were calculated, along with quadrants and central measures. Retinal layers were manually segmented in the macular region. Results Mean detection thresholds were significantly lower than normative values for PwA (-3.10 ± 1.67 dB, P << 0.0001) and PwIIN (-1.70 ± 1.54 dB, P < 0.0001). Mean detection thresholds were significantly lower in PwA compared to PwIIN (P < 0.0001) and significantly worse for left compared to right eyes in PwA (P = 0.0002) but not in PwIIN (P = 0.37). In PwA, the superior nasal VF was significantly worse than other quadrants (P < 0.05). PwIIN appeared to show a mild relative arcuate scotoma. In PwA, central detection thresholds were correlated with foveal changes in the inner and outer retina. VF was strongly correlated to BCVA in both groups. Conclusions Clear peripheral and central VF deficits exist in PwA and PwIIN, and static VF results need to be interpreted with caution clinically. Since PwA exhibit considerably lower detection thresholds compared to PwIIN, VF defects are unlikely to be due to nystagmus in PwA. In addition to horizontal VF asymmetry, PwA exhibit both vertical and interocular asymmetries, which needs further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viral Sheth
- Health Sciences School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
- The University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit, Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca J. McLean
- The University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit, Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Zhanhan Tu
- The University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit, Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Sarim Ather
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Headley Way, Headington, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Gottlob
- The University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit, Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, Cooper University Health Care, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, New Jersey, United States
| | - Frank A. Proudlock
- The University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit, Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
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Proudlock FA, McLean RJ, Sheth V, Ather S, Gottlob I. Phenotypic Features Determining Visual Acuity in Albinism and the Role of Amblyogenic Factors. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:14. [PMID: 38319667 PMCID: PMC10854414 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.2.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Albinism is a spectrum disorder causing foveal hypoplasia, nystagmus, and hypopigmentation of the iris and fundus along with other visual deficits, which can all impact vision. Albinism is also associated with amblyogenic factors which could affect monocular visual acuity. The foveal appearance in albinism can range from mild foveal hypoplasia to that which is indistinguishable from the peripheral retina. The appearance can be quickly and easily graded using the Leicester Grading System in the clinic. However, interquartile ranges of 0.3 logMAR for the grades associated with albinism limit the accuracy of the grading system in predicting vision. Here, we discuss the potential role of nystagmus presenting evidence that it may not be a major source of variability in the prediction of visual acuity. We also show that interocular differences in visual acuity are low in albinism despite high levels of amblyogenic factors indicating that active suppression of vision in one eye in albinism is uncommon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank A Proudlock
- The University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit, Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca J McLean
- The University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit, Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Viral Sheth
- The University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit, Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Health Sciences School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Sarim Ather
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Headley Way, Headington, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Gottlob
- The University of Leicester Ulverscroft Eye Unit, Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Robert Kilpatrick Clinical Sciences Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, Cooper University Health Care, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, New Jersey, United States
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Galli J, Loi E, Dusi L, Pasini N, Rossi A, Scaglioni V, Mauri L, Fazzi E. Oculocutaneous albinism: the neurological, behavioral, and neuro-ophthalmological perspective. Eur J Pediatr 2023; 182:2723-2733. [PMID: 37009951 PMCID: PMC10257606 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-04938-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a group of rare, genetic disorders caused by absent/reduced melanin biosynthesis. The aim of this study was to explore the neurovisual, cognitive, adaptive, and behavioral profile of children affected by OCA, also evaluating any possible effect of the visual acuity deficit on the clinical profile and genotype-phenotype correlations. Eighteen children (9 males, mean age 84 months ± 41; range 18-181 months) with a molecular confirmed diagnosis of OCA were enrolled in the study. We collected data on clinical history, neurodevelopmental profile, neurological and neurovisual examination, and cognitive, adaptive, and emotional/behavioral functioning. A global neurodevelopmental impairment was detected in 56% of the children, without evolving into an intellectual disability. All the patients showed signs and symptoms of visual impairment. Low adaptive functioning was observed in 3 cases (17%). A risk for internalizing behavioral problems was documented in 6 cases (33%), for externalizing problems in 2 (11%), and for both in 5 (28%). Twelve children (67%) showed one or more autistic-like features. Correlation analyses revealed significant associations between the visual acuity level and performance intelligence quotient (p = 0.001), processing speed index (p = 0.021), Vineland total score (p = 0.020), Vineland communication (p = 0.020), and socialization (p = 0.037) domains. No significant correlations were found between genotype and phenotype. CONCLUSION Children with OCA may present a global neurodevelopmental delay that seems to improve with age and emotional/behavioral difficulties, along with the well-known visual impairment. An early neuropsychiatric evaluation and habilitative training are recommended to improve vision-related performance, neurodevelopment, and any psychological difficulties. WHAT IS KNOWN • Children with oculocutaneous albinism show dermatological and ophthalmological problems. • An early visual impairment may have negative implications on motor, emotional, and cognitive processes that would allow the child to organize his or her experiences. WHAT IS NEW • In addition to a variable combination of ocular signs and symptoms, children with oculocutaneous albinism may present an early neurodevelopmental delay and emotional/behavioral difficulties. • An early visual treatment is recommended to improve vision-related performance, neurodevelopment, and any psychological difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Galli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Erika Loi
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Dusi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Nadia Pasini
- Department of Neurological and Vision Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Rossi
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Vera Scaglioni
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Lucia Mauri
- Medical Genetics Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Fazzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
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