Spider dystrophy as an ocular manifestation of myotonic dystrophy

Fundus flavimaculatus-like in myotonic dystrophy: a case report

BACKGROUND

Myotonic dystrophy is an inherited disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness and myotonia. It is a multisystemic disorder that affects different parts of the body, including the eye. Dysfunction of ocular muscles, ptosis and cataract are the most common ophthalmologic manifestations, but it can also present with pigmentary changes in the retina. This report presents and discusses an unusual case of a pigmented pattern dystrophy simulating a fundus flavimaculatus in a patient with myotonic dystrophy.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of a woman with a history of myotonic dystrophy and complaints of progressive vision loss who presented bilateral retinal pigmentary changes in posterior pole and midperiphery. The characteristics and distribution of pigmented deposits, as well as ancillary tests, showed a retinal phenotype compatible with a multifocal pattern dystrophy or a fundus flavimaculatus.

CONCLUSIONS

There are a few publications about retinal disorders in patients with myotonic dystrophy. When macular area is affected it tends to adopt a patterned-shape defined as butterfly dystrophy or reticular dystrophy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with myotonic dystrophy and multifocal pattern dystrophy or fundus flavimaculatus.

Pattern dystrophy of the macula in a case of steinert disease

INTRODUCTION

Myotonic dystrophies are typically associated with ocular complications like ptosis, weakness of the ocular muscle and cataracts, but also with less recognized retinal changes.

CASE REPORT

A 41-year-old female with type 1 myotonic dystrophy complained of progressive vision loss. Slit lamp examination revealed the presence of typical bilateral polychromatic cataract with posterior subcapsular component. Dilated fundus examination was remarkable for bilateral macular depigmented changes. Multimodal imaging analysis of the macula suggested the presence of a butterfly-shaped pattern dystrophy.

DISCUSSION

In cases of myotonic dystrophies it is of great relevance to analyze the presence of retinal changes that might limit the visual improvement following cataract extraction.