Microcephaly and Chorioretinopathy Relevance as a Differential Diagnosis

Microcephaly and chorioretinopathy are genetic disorders that are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. The most frequent ocular manifestation is the presence of lacunar atrophy in the retina and choroid. The diagnosis of this condition can be challenging as several potential causes and related syndromes need to be ruled out. We present two cases of microcephaly and chorioretinopathy in Mexican patients, their clinical characterization, and discuss the differential diagnoses that should be considered. An 8-year-old girl was examined due to a history of decreased vision in both eyes. Fundus examination showed excavated, well-defined, sectorial, bilateral, and symmetrical areas of chorioretinal atrophy. An 18-year-old male had a history of poor vision since childhood. Previous ophthalmological examinations reported bilateral symmetric chorioretinal atrophy with pigment accumulation. Both patients had a prior diagnosis of microcephaly and language delay. Blood tests and a comprehensive systemic evaluation ruled out intrauterine infections. The electroretinogram showed decreased amplitude and increased implicit time in the photopic and scotopic responses. Genetic tests revealed mutations in the TUBGCP4 gene, leading to a diagnosis of microcephaly and chorioretinopathy. As observed in these cases, there was variability in retinal lesions. The presence of chorioretinal lacunae and genetic testing can help to correctly diagnose this disorder.

INCREASING EVIDENCE FOR THE SAFETY OF FOVEA-INVOLVING HALF-DOSE PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY FOR CHRONIC CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY

PURPOSE

A retrospective study was performed with data from the prospective randomized controlled trials, PLACE and SPECTRA, assessing the risk of foveal atrophy and the likelihood of structural and functional improvement on optical coherence tomography, after foveal half-dose photodynamic therapy in chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

METHODS

A total of 57 chronic central serous chorioretinopathy patients received a single half-dose photodynamic therapy with a treatment spot that included the fovea. Optical coherence tomography scans and fundus autofluorescence images were analyzed for structural improvement and possible atrophy development, at baseline and at several visits after treatment. Main outcome measures were integrity of the external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone on optical coherence tomography and hypoautofluorescence on fundus autofluorescence.

RESULTS

The subfoveal external limiting membrane was graded as continuous in 21 of 57 of patients (36.8%) at baseline, and the subfoveal ellipsoid zone was graded as continuous in 5 of 57 patients (8.8%) at first visit, which improved to 50 of 51 (98.0%) and 32 out of 51 (62.7%) at the final visit at 2 years, respectively (both P < 0.001). Hypoautofluorescent changes on fundus autofluorescence were present in 25 of 55 patients (45.5%) at baseline and in 23 of 51 patients (45.1%) at the final visit ( P = 0.480).

CONCLUSION

In patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy who received a single, foveal, half-dose photodynamic therapy, a significant improvement in structure and function was seen at the final follow-up. None of the patients developed foveal atrophy.

LONG-TERM TREATMENT OUTCOMES AFTER BEVACIZUMAB THERAPY FOR MACULAR NEOVASCULARIZATION IN WHITE PATIENTS WITH HIGH MYOPIA

PURPOSE

To report long-term treatment outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab in myopic macular neovascularization (MNV).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of longitudinal, clinical data of patients with high myopic MNV treated with intravitreal bevacizumab. One-hundred and seventeen eyes of 106 patients were followed from first injection up to 12 years. Outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity change during follow-up and myopic MNV recurrence.

RESULTS

Mean (±SD) baseline best-corrected visual acuity (0.56 ± 0.46 logMAR, 20/80) significantly improved after first treatment (0.33 ± 0.33, 20/50, P < 0.001). At 4 years (n = 86), best-corrected visual acuity was no longer significantly better than at baseline (0.55 ± 0.57, P = 0.30) and continued to deteriorate to 0.84 ± 0.76 (20/125) at 10 years (n = 27). Of the 27 eyes (23%) who reached 10 years of follow-up, 53% developed MNV-related chorioretinal atrophy. The cumulative incidence of recurrent myopic MNV was 34% at 2 years and 59% at 5 years. Best-corrected visual acuity decrease in eyes with or without recurrent MNV was similar ( P = 0.58). Patchy chorioretinal atrophy (hazard ratio 3.0, P = 0.02) and subfoveal MNVs (hazard ratio 2.5, P = 0.048) were significantly associated with recurrent MNV.

CONCLUSION

This retrospective myopic MNV study revealed that visual improvement after intravitreal bevacizumab injections was not maintained over time. Macular neovascularization recurrences occurred frequently but did not alter the already poor visual prognosis.

Chorioretinal atrophy following voretigene neparvovec despite the presence of fundus autofluorescence

INTRODUCTION

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) type 2, due to disease-causing variants in RPE65, is characterized by severe visual loss in early infancy. Current treatments include voretigene neparvovec-rzyl (VN) for RPE65-associated LCA. Herein, we present the long-term follow-up of a patient treated with VN using quantitative autofluorescence (488 nm excitation).

CASE REPORT

A 9-year-old girl with a diagnosis of LCA with biallelic variants in RPE65 presented for evaluation. The patient underwent VN treatment at the age of 11. The patient returned to clinic at age of 19 at which time imaging revealed evidence of chorioretinal atrophy. Quantitative autofluorescence performed prior to gene therapy and at 6- and 8-year follow-up revealed a central area of fundus autofluorescence.

DISCUSSION

This case report demonstrates acquisition of fundus autofluorescence at 6- and 8-year follow-up despite the development of chorioretinal atrophy.

Four-year follow up of macular intrachoroidal cavitation and chorioretinal atrophy: A case report

RATIONALE

Macular intrachoroidal cavitation (ICC) is characterized by presence of a hyporeflective space beneath the unaltered retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and is noted around the region of focal chorioretinal atrophy in eyes with pathologic myopia. The findings suggest that the patchy chorioretinal atrophy (PCA) progresses to ICC with time. However, there have been no reports describing long-term observational studies using OCT. We collected a case of PCA progression to macular ICC using OCT during a 4-year follow-up.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 65-year-old woman presented with metamorphopsia and blurred vision in her left eye. Her best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 and spherical equivalent refraction was -14.0 diopters in the left eye. Fundus examination revealed a white, well-defined PCA at the superonasal to the fovea which showed hypofluorescence determined by autofluorescence in the left eye. Sclera curved posteriorly at the superonasal to the fovea and the choroid was thickened at the area and ellipsoid zone (EZ) was disrupted in the area in OCT images. Additionally, another OCT images through the PCA showed a disappearance of the RPE-Bruch's membrane complex and a connection of blood vessels running from the sclera to the choroid.

DIAGNOSES

PCA with macular ICC.

INTERVENTIONS

Observation.

OUTCOMES

During 4-year follow up, the white patchy lesion and the hypofluorescence region gradually expanded. BCVA decreased with the expansion of the lesion and was 20/100 at the final visit. OCT through the fovea showed that the disorganized EZ expanded toward the ICC and the sensory retina of the fovea became thinner. Moreover, RPE-Bruch's membrane complex was not observed 3 years after the initial visit. During the follow-up period, the sensory retina was prominently displaced posteriorly to the ICC, though no obvious change was observed in the structure of the sclera.

LESSONS

In cases of PCA with macular ICC, the outer retina and RPE may initially atrophy, showing as an expansion of PCA, because the attachment between the inner retina and sclera may be weakened. This may result in the displacement of the retinal tissue into the space of macular ICC.

Familial Hypomagnesemia with Hypercalciuria, Nephrocalcinosis, and Bilateral Chorioretinal Atrophy in a Patient with Homozygous p.G75S Variant in CLDN19

Introduction  Familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis (FHHNC) is a rare disorder caused by perturbation in renal reabsorption of magnesium and calcium. Biallelic pathogenic variants either in gene CLDN16 or CLDN19 are responsible for molecular defects. Most patients with CLDN19 variants have been associated with ocular involvements (FHHNCOI). Patient and Methods  We had a pediatric patient with hypercalciuric hypomagnesemia and bilateral chorioretinal atrophy. Metabolic profiling and radiology examinations were performed, in addition to whole exome sequencing (WES) used for detection of the causative variant. Results  Analysis of WES revealed a homozygous c.223G > A (p.G75S) variant in CLDN19 . MutationTaster and Combined Annotation-Dependent Depletion support its deleterious effect and SHERLOC's criteria put it in pathogenic category. This variant is previously reported in compound heterozygous state with other known pathogenic variant. As far as we know, it is the first report of this variant in homozygous state. Conclusion  The variant found in our patient is pathogenic and compatible with FHHNCOI characteristics. WES is an advantageous tool in molecular diagnosis and finding genetic pathology of this disease. In line with other reports, ocular abnormalities are variable in patients with CLDN19 mutations, and chronic kidney disease and retinal damages must be considered in this group.

Gyrate atrophy-like phenotype with normal plasma ornithine and low plasma taurine

We present the case of a 39-year-old male with sectoral chorioretinal atrophy similar to that seen in gyrate atrophy (GA) but with a normal plasma ornithine level. Unlike previously reported cases of GA, he had below-normal plasma taurine concentration. Much remains unknown about the pathophysiologic mechanism underlying gyrate-like chorioretinal atrophy. The concomitant occurrence of GA-like phenotype and hypotaurinemia suggests a possible future avenue for research on this matter.

Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor use and treatment approach for choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia

INTRODUCTION

Myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is the most common cause of CNV in those under 50 years of age. It is a significant cause of visual loss in those with pathologic myopia. The current standard of care involves therapy with intravitreal inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

AREAS COVERED

The epidemiology of myopia, high myopia, pathologic myopia, and myopic CNV is reviewed, along with a brief discussion of historical treatments. The pharmacology of the three most commonly used anti-VEGF agents is discussed, with an emphasis on the licensed drugs, ranibizumab and aflibercept. A comprehensive clinical approach to diagnosis and treatment of myopic CNV is presented.

EXPERT OPINION

The current standard of care for myopic CNV is intravitreal inhibition of VEGF, with ranibizumab and aflibercept licensed for intraocular use. The diagnosis, OCT features of disease activity and retreatment algorithm for myopic CNV is different from wet age-related macular degeneration. In the long-term, myopic CNV may be associated with gradual, irreversible visual loss due to progressive chorioretinal atrophy, for which there is currently no treatment.

Optical coherence tomography and fundus autofluorescence imaging study of chorioretinal atrophy involving the macula in Alagille syndrome

We report the first case in the literature of chorioretinal atrophy involving the macula in an 11-year-old girl with Alagille syndrome, as examined by optical coherence tomography, and fundus autofluorescence imaging. Funduscopy revealed diffuse choroidal hypopigmentation with increased visibility of the choroidal vessels and symmetric, well circumscribed macular discoloration. Anomalous oblique configuration of the optic disc and peripapillary tortuous vessels were also detected. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated decreased retinal thickness, especially the outer retinal layer, and the photoreceptor inner segment/outer segment junctions were irregular and discontinued, corresponding to macular discoloration. Fundus autofluorescence imaging clearly defined hypofluorescent areas in the peripapillary regions that extended along the macula and had a sleep mask appearance. We suggest that transient hypovitaminosis due to Alagille syndrome early in life might contribute to the retinal degeneration seen in this case.