IQCB1 (NPHP5)-Retinopathy: Clinical and Genetic Characterization and Natural History.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical and genetic features, and explore the natural history of retinopathy associated with IQCB1 variants in children and adults with retinopathy. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study at a single tertiary care referral center. METHODS: The study recruited 19 patients with retinopathy, harboring likely disease-causing variants in IQCB1. Demographic data and clinical presentation, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus appearance, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and autofluorescence features, electroretinography (ERG) and molecular genetics are reported. RESULTS: Ten patients had best corrected visual acuity better than 1.0 LogMAR, and BCVA remained stable till the last review. Seven patients had a vision of hand movements or worse in at least one eye at presentation. There was no correlation found between age of onset and severity of vision loss. Nine patients (47.4%) had a diagnosis of end-stage renal failure at presentation. The other 10 patients (52.6%) had a diagnosis of non-syndromic IQCB1-retinopathy and maintained normal renal function until the last follow-up. The mean age at diagnosis of renal failure was 26.3 ±19.8 years. OCT showed ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption with foveal sparing in 8/13 patients. All patients had stable OCT findings. Full-field ERGs in four adults revealed a severe cone-rod dystrophy and three children had extinguished ERGs. We identified 17 IQCB1 variants, all predicted to cause loss of function. CONCLUSION: IQCB1-retinopathy is a severe early-onset cone-rod dystrophy. The dissociation between severely decreased retinal function and relative preservation of retinal structure over a wide age window makes the disease a candidate for gene therapy.

Distinct Clinical Effects of Two RP1L1 Hotspots in East Asian Patients With Occult Macular Dystrophy (Miyake Disease): EAOMD Report 4.

Purpose: To characterize the clinical effects of two RP1L1 hotspots in patients with East Asian occult macular dystrophy (OMD). Methods: Fifty-one patients diagnosed with OMD harboring monoallelic pathogenic RP1L1 variants (Miyake disease) from Japan, South Korea, and China were enrolled. Patients were classified into two genotype groups: group A, p.R45W, and group B, missense variants located between amino acids (aa) 1196 and 1201. The clinical parameters of the two genotypes were compared, and deep learning based on spectral-domain optical coherence tomographic (SD-OCT) images was used to distinguish the morphologic differences. Results: Groups A and B included 29 and 22 patients, respectively. The median age of onset in groups A and B was 14.0 and 40.0 years, respectively. The median logMAR visual acuity of groups A and B was 0.70 and 0.51, respectively, and the survival curve analysis revealed a 15-year difference in vision loss (logMAR 0.22). A statistically significant difference was observed in the visual field classification, but no significant difference was found in the multifocal electroretinographic classification. High accuracy (75.4%) was achieved in classifying genotype groups based on SD-OCT images using machine learning. Conclusions: Distinct clinical severities and morphologic phenotypes supported by artificial intelligence-based classification were derived from the two investigated RP1L1 hotspots: a more severe phenotype (p.R45W) and a milder phenotype (1196-1201 aa). This newly identified genotype-phenotype association will be valuable for medical care and the design of therapeutic trials.

Phenotyping and genotyping inherited retinal diseases: Molecular genetics, clinical and imaging features, and therapeutics of macular dystrophies, cone and cone-rod dystrophies, rod-cone dystrophies, Leber congenital amaurosis, and cone dysfunction syndromes.

Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a leading cause of blindness in the working age population and in children. The scope of this review is to familiarise clinicians and scientists with the current landscape of molecular genetics, clinical phenotype, retinal imaging and therapeutic prospects/completed trials in IRD. Herein we present in a comprehensive and concise manner: (i) macular dystrophies (Stargardt disease (ABCA4), X-linked retinoschisis (RS1), Best disease (BEST1), PRPH2-associated pattern dystrophy, Sorsby fundus dystrophy (TIMP3), and autosomal dominant drusen (EFEMP1)), (ii) cone and cone-rod dystrophies (GUCA1A, PRPH2, ABCA4, KCNV2 and RPGR), (iii) predominant rod or rod-cone dystrophies (retinitis pigmentosa, enhanced S-Cone syndrome (NR2E3), Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (CYP4V2)), (iv) Leber congenital amaurosis/early-onset severe retinal dystrophy (GUCY2D, CEP290, CRB1, RDH12, RPE65, TULP1, AIPL1 and NMNAT1), (v) cone dysfunction syndromes (achromatopsia (CNGA3, CNGB3, PDE6C, PDE6H, GNAT2, ATF6), X-linked cone dysfunction with myopia and dichromacy (Bornholm Eye disease; OPN1LW/OPN1MW array), oligocone trichromacy, and blue-cone monochromatism (OPN1LW/OPN1MW array)). Whilst we use the aforementioned classical phenotypic groupings, a key feature of IRD is that it is characterised by tremendous heterogeneity and variable expressivity, with several of the above genes associated with a range of phenotypes.

Typical best vitelliform dystrophy secondary to biallelic variants in BEST1.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenic variants in BEST1 can cause autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive dystrophy, typically associated with distinct retinal phenotypes. In heterozygous cases, the disorder is commonly characterized by yellow sub-macular lesions in the early stages, known as Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD). Biallelic variants usually cause a more severe phenotype including diffuse retinal pigment epithelial irregularity and widespread generalized progressive retinopathy, known as autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy (ARB). This study describes three cases with clinical changes consistent with BVMD, however, unusually associated with autosomal recessive inheritance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Detailed ophthalmic workup included comprehensive ophthalmologic examination, multimodal retinal imaging, full-field and pattern electroretinography (ERG; PERG), and electrooculogram (EOG). Genetic analysis of probands and segregation testing and fundus examination of proband relatives was performed where possible. RESULTS: Three unrelated cases presented with a clinical phenotype typical for BVMD and were found to have biallelic disease-causing variants in BEST1. PERG P50 and ERG were normal in all cases. The EOG was subnormal (probands 1 and 3) or normal/borderline (proband 2). Probands 1 and 2 were homozygous for the BEST1 missense variant c.139C>T, p.Arg47Cys, while proband 3 was homozygous for a deletion, c.536_538delACA, p.Asn179del. The parents of proband 1 were phenotypically normal. Parents of proband 1 and 2 were heterozygous for the same missense variant. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with biallelic variants in BEST1 can present with a phenotype indistinguishable from BVMD. The same clinical phenotype may not be evident in those harboring the same variants in the heterozygous state. This has implications for genetic counselling and prognosticationA.

RP2-Associated X-linked Retinopathy: Clinical Findings, Molecular Genetics, and Natural History in a Large Cohort of Female Carriers.

PURPOSE: RP2-associated retinopathy typically causes severe early onset retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in affected males. However, there is a scarcity of reports describing the clinical phenotype of female carriers. We tested the hypothesis that RP2 variants manifest in female carriers with a range of functional and anatomic characteristics. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Females with disease-causing variants in RP2 were identified from investigation of pedigrees affected by RP2 retinopathy. All case notes and results of molecular genetic testing, retinal imaging (fundus autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT)), and electrophysiology were reviewed. RESULTS: Forty pedigrees were investigated. Twenty-nine pedigrees had obligate carriers or molecularly confirmed female members with recorded relevant history and/or examination. For 8 pedigrees, data were available only from history, with patients reporting affected female relatives with RP in 4 cases and unaffected female relatives in the other 4 cases. Twenty-seven females from 21 pedigrees were examined by a retinal genetics specialist. Twenty-three patients (85%) reported no complaints and had normal vision and 4 patients had RP-associated complaints (15%). Eight patients had normal fundus examination (30%), 10 had a tapetal-like reflex (TLR; 37%), 5 had scattered peripheral pigmentation (19%), and the 4 symptomatic patients had fundus findings compatible with RP (15%). All asymptomatic patients with normal fundus, TLR, or asymptomatic pigmentary changes had a continuous ellipsoid zone on OCT when available. The electroretinograms revealed mild to severe photoreceptor dysfunction in 9 of 11 subjects, often asymmetrical, including 5 with pattern electroretinogram evidence of symmetrical (n = 4) or unilateral (n = 1 subject) macular dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Most carriers were asymptomatic, exhibiting subclinical characteristics such as TLR and pigmentary changes. However, female carriers of RP2 variants can manifest RP. Family history of affected females with RP does not exclude X-linked disease. The phenotypic spectrum as described herein has prognostic and counselling implications for RP2 carriers and patients.

RBP3-Retinopathy-Inherited High Myopia and Retinal Dystrophy: Genetic Characterization, Natural History, and Deep Phenotyping.

PURPOSE: To examine the genetic and clinical features and the natural history of RBP3-associated retinopathy. DESIGN: Multi-center international, retrospective, case series of adults and children, with moleculraly confirmed RBP3-asociated retinopathy. METHODS: The genetic, clinical, and retinal imaging findings, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF), were investigated both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The results of international standard full-field electroretinography (ERG) and pattern electroretinography (PERG) were reviewed. RESULTS: We ascertained 12 patients (5 female and 7 male) from 10 families (4 patients previously reported). Ten novel disease-causing RBP3 variants were identified. Ten patients were homozygous. The mean age (±SD, range) of the group was 21.4 years (±19.1, 2.9-60.5 years) at baseline evaluation. All 12 patients were highly myopic, with a mean spherical equivalent of -16.0D (range, -7.0D to -33.0D). Visual acuity was not significantly different between eyes, and no significant anisometropia was observed. Mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.48 logMAR (SD, ±0.29; range, 0.2-1.35 logMAR); at baseline. Eleven patients had longitudinal BCVA assessment, with a mean BCVA of 0.46 logMAR after a mean follow-up of 12.6 years. All patients were symptomatic with reduced VA and myopia by the age of 7 years old. All patients had myopic fundi and features in keeping with high myopia on OCT, including choroidal thinning. The 4 youngest patients had no fundus pigmentary changes, with the rest of the patients presenting with a variable degree of mid-peripheral pigmentation and macular changes. FAF showed variable phenotypes, ranging from areas of increased signal to advanced atrophy in older patients. OCT showed cystoid macular edema at presentation in 3 patients, which persisted during follow-up in 2 patients and resolved to atrophy in the third patient. The ERGs were abnormal in 9 of 9 cases, revealing variable relative involvement of rod and cone photoreceptors with additional milder dysfunction post-phototransduction in some. All but 1 patient had PERG evidence of macular dysfunction, which was severe in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study details the clinical and functional phenotype of RBP3-retinopathy in the largest cohort reported to date. RBP3-retinopathy is a disease characterized by early onset, slow progression over decades, and high myopia. The phenotypic spectrum and natural history as described herein has prognostic and counseling implications. RBP3-related disease should be considered in children with high myopia and retinal dystrophy.

A case of recurring acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy successfully treated with intravitreal Ozurdex injection.

INTRODUCTION: We describe a case of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy (AEPVM) that recurred 9 years after the initial event. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of recurrent AEPVM showing recovery of retinal and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) function and good visual outcome following treatment with intravitreal corticosteroid. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 45-year-old Caucasian woman first presented with AEVPM in 2009. Her condition spontaneously resolved and she remained stable over several years. 9 years later, her condition recurred with bilateral reduction in visual acuity. Fundus examination revealed multiple small yellowish subretinal lesions across the posterior pole in both eyes. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed bilateral cystoid macular oedema (CMO). She was referred for electrophysiology and her electrooculogram findings were in keeping with severe generalised RPE dysfunction bilaterally, with a light peak to dark trough ratio (Arden index) of 110%, comparable to her initial presentation 9 years earlier. She was initially treated with oral steroids with some improvement. However, the maculopathy in the left eye recurred on cessation of oral treatment. A sustained-release 700ug dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex®) was inserted in the left eye to which she responded remarkably, with improvement in visual acuity and complete resolution of the CMO. A year later, at her most recent clinic visit in March 2021, there was no evidence of any further recurrence. CONCLUSION: Our case demonstrates clinical and imaging findings consistent with recurrence of AEPVM with CMO that has been successfully treated with Ozurdex®.

The diagnostic accuracy of photopic negative responses evoked by broadband and chromatic stimuli in a clinically heterogeneous population.

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the photopic negative response (PhNR) elicited by red-blue (RB) and white-white (WW) stimuli, for detection of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction in a heterogeneous clinical cohort. METHODS: Adults referred for electrophysiological investigations were recruited consecutively for this single-centre, prospective, paired diagnostic accuracy study. PhNRs were recorded to red flashes (1.5 cd·s·m-2) on a blue background (10 cd·m-2) and to white flashes on a white background (the latter being the ISCEV standard LA 3 stimulus). PhNR results were compared with a reference test battery assessing RGC/optic nerve structure and function including optical coherence tomography (OCT) retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and mean RGC volume measurements, fundus photography, pattern electroretinography and visual evoked potentials. Primary outcome measures were differences in sensitivity and specificity of the two PhNR methods. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-three participants were initially enrolled, with 200 (median age 54; range 18-95; female 65%) meeting inclusion criteria. Sensitivity was 53% (95% confidence intervals [CI] 39% to 68%) and 62% (95% CI 48% to 76%), for WW and RB PhNRs, respectively. Specificity was 80% (95% CI 74% to 86%) and 78% (95% CI 72% to 85%), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between sensitivities (p = 0.046) but not specificities (p = 0.08) of the two methods. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) values were 0.73 for WW and 0.74 for RB PhNRs. CONCLUSION: PhNRs to red flashes on a blue background may be more sensitive than white-on-white stimuli, but there is no significant difference between specificities. This study highlights the value and potential convenience of using white-on-white stimuli, already used widely for routine ERG assessment.

KCNV2-associated retinopathy: genotype-phenotype correlations - KCNV2 study group report 3.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate genotype-phenotype associations in patients with KCNV2 retinopathy. METHODS: Review of clinical notes, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), molecular variants, electroretinography (ERG) and retinal imaging. Subjects were grouped according to the combination of KCNV2 variants-two loss-of-function (TLOF), two missense (TM) or one of each (MLOF)-and parameters were compared. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients were included. The mean age of onset (mean±SD) in TLOF (n=55), TM (n=23) and MLOF (n=14) groups was 3.51±0.58, 4.07±2.76 and 5.54±3.38 years, respectively. The mean LogMAR BCVA (±SD) at baseline in TLOF, TM and MLOF groups was 0.89±0.25, 0.67±0.38 and 0.81±0.35 for right, and 0.88±0.26, 0.69±0.33 and 0.78±0.33 for left eyes, respectively. The difference in BCVA between groups at baseline was significant in right (p=0.03) and left eyes (p=0.035). Mean outer nuclear layer thickness (±SD) at baseline in TLOF, MLOF and TM groups was 37.07±15.20 µm, 40.67±12.53 and 40.38±18.67, respectively, which was not significantly different (p=0.85). The mean ellipsoid zone width (EZW) loss (±SD) was 2051 µm (±1318) for patients in the TLOF, and 1314 µm (±965) for MLOF. Only one patient in the TM group had EZW loss at presentation. There was considerable overlap in ERG findings, although the largest DA 10 ERG b-waves were associated with TLOF and the smallest with TM variants. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with missense alterations had better BCVA and greater structural integrity. This is important for patient prognostication and counselling, as well as stratification for future gene therapy trials.

ISCEV guidelines for calibration and verification of stimuli and recording instruments (2023 update).

This document developed by the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV) provides guidance for calibration and verification of stimulus and recording systems specific to clinical electrophysiology of vision. This guideline provides additional information for those using ISCEV Standards and Extended protocols and supersedes earlier Guidelines. The ISCEV guidelines for calibration and verification of stimuli and recording instruments (2023 update) were approved by the ISCEV Board of Directors 01, March 2023.

CERKL-Associated Retinal Dystrophy: Genetics, Phenotype, and Natural History.

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical characteristics, natural history, and genetics of CERKL-associated retinal dystrophy in the largest series to date. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: Forty-seven patients (37 families) with likely disease-causing CERKL variants. METHODS: Review of clinical notes, ophthalmic images, and molecular diagnosis from 2 international centers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual function, retinal imaging, and characteristics were evaluated and correlated. RESULTS: The mean age at the first visit was 29.6 ± 13.9 years, and the mean follow-up time was 9.1 ± 7.4 years. The most frequent initial symptom was central vision loss (40%), and the most common retinal feature was well-demarcated areas of macular atrophy (57%). Seventy-seven percent of the participants had double-null genotypes, and 64% had electrophysiological assessment. Among the latter, 53% showed similar severity of rod and cone dysfunction, 27% revealed a rod-cone, 10% a cone-rod, and 10% a macular dystrophy dysfunction pattern. Patients without double-null genotypes tended to have fewer pigment deposits and included a higher proportion of older patients with a relatively mild electrophysiological phenotype. Longitudinal analysis showed that over half of the cohort lost 15 ETDRS letters or more in ≥ 1 eye during the first 5 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The phenotype of CERKL-retinal dystrophy is broad, encompassing isolated macular disease to severe retina-wide involvement, with a range of functional phenotypes, generally not fitting in the rod-cone/cone-rod dichotomy. Disease onset is often earlier, with more severe retinal degenerative changes and photoreceptor dysfunction, in nullizygous cases. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

First-in-Human Gene Therapy Trial of AAV8-hCARp.hCNGB3 in Adults and Children With CNGB3-associated Achromatopsia.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of AAV8-hCARp.hCNGB3 in participants with CNGB3-associated achromatopsia (ACHM). DESIGN: Prospective, phase 1/2 (NCT03001310), open-label, nonrandomized clinical trial. METHODS: The study enrolled 23 adults and children with CNGB3-associated ACHM. In the dose-escalation phase, adult participants were administered 1 of 3 AAV8-hCARp.hCNGB3 dose levels in the worse-seeing eye (up to 0.5 mL). After a maximum tolerated dose was established in adults, an expansion phase was conducted in children ≥3 years old. All participants received topical and oral corticosteroids. Safety and efficacy parameters, including treatment-related adverse events and visual acuity, retinal sensitivity, color vision, and light sensitivity, were assessed for 6 months. RESULTS: AAV8-hCARp.hCNGB3 (11 adults, 12 children) was safe and generally well tolerated. Intraocular inflammation occurred in 9 of 23 participants and was mainly mild or moderate in severity. Severe cases occurred primarily at the highest dose. Two events were considered serious and dose limiting. All intraocular inflammation resolved following topical and systemic steroids. There was no consistent pattern of change from baseline to week 24 for any efficacy assessment. However, favorable changes were observed for individual participants across several assessments, including color vision (n = 6/23), photoaversion (n = 11/20), and vision-related quality-of-life questionnaires (n = 21/23). CONCLUSIONS: AAV8-hCARp.hCNGB3 for CNGB3-associated ACHM demonstrated an acceptable safety and tolerability profile. Improvements in several efficacy parameters indicate that AAV8-hCARp.hCNGB3 gene therapy may provide benefit. These findings, with the development of additional sensitive and quantitative end points, support continued investigation.

RP2-Associated X-linked Retinopathy: Clinical Findings, Molecular Genetics, and Natural History.

PURPOSE: To review and describe in detail the clinical course, functional and anatomic characteristics of RP2-associated retinal degeneration. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: Male participants with disease-causing variants in the RP2 gene. METHODS: Review of all case notes and results of molecular genetic testing, retinal imaging (fundus autofluorescence [FAF] imaging, OCT), and electrophysiology assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Molecular genetic testing, clinical findings including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), qualitative and quantitative retinal imaging analysis, and electrophysiology parameters. RESULTS: Fifty-four molecularly confirmed patients were identified from 38 pedigrees. Twenty-eight disease-causing variants were identified, with 20 not previously clinically characterized. Fifty-three patients (98.1%) presented with retinitis pigmentosa. The mean age of onset (range ± standard deviation [SD]) was 9.6 years (1-57 ± 9.2 years). Forty-four patients (91.7%) had childhood-onset disease, with mean age of onset of 7.6 years. The most common first symptom was night blindness (68.8%). Mean BCVA (range ± SD) was 0.91 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (0-2.7 ± 0.80) and 0.94 logMAR (0-2.7 ± 0.78) for right and left eyes, respectively. On the basis of the World Health Organization visual impairment criteria, 18 patients (34%) had low vision. The majority (17/22) showed electroretinogram (ERG) evidence of a rod-cone dystrophy. Pattern ERG P50 was undetectable in all but 2 patients. A range of FAF findings was observed, from normal to advanced atrophy. There were no statistically significant differences between right and left eyes for ellipsoid zone width (EZW) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness. The mean annual rate of EZW loss was 219 µm/year, and the mean annual decrease in ONL thickness was 4.93 µm/year. No patient with childhood-onset disease had an identifiable ellipsoid zone (EZ) after the age of 26 years at baseline or follow-up. Four patients had adulthood-onset disease and a less severe phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: This study details the clinical phenotype of RP2 retinopathy in a large cohort. The majority presented with early-onset severe retinal degeneration, with early macular involvement and complete loss of the foveal photoreceptor layer by the third decade of life. Full-field ERGs revealed rod-cone dystrophy in the vast majority, but with generalized (peripheral) cone system involvement of widely varying severity in the first 2 decades of life. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.

CRB1-Associated Retinal Dystrophies: Genetics, Clinical Characteristics, and Natural History.

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical characteristics, natural history, and genetics of CRB1-associated retinal dystrophies. DESIGN: Multicenter international retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Review of clinical notes, ophthalmic images, and genetic testing results of 104 patients (91 probands) with disease-causing CRB1 variants. Macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters, visual function, fundus characteristics, and associations between variables were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: The mean age of the cohort at the first visit was 19.8 ± 16.1 (median 15) years, with a mean follow-up of 9.6 ± 10 years. Based on history, imaging, and clinical examination, 26 individuals were diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP; 25%), 54 with early-onset severe retinal dystrophy / Leber congenital amaurosis (EOSRD/LCA; 52%), and 24 with macular dystrophy (MD; 23%). Severe visual impairment was most frequent after 40 years of age for patients with RP and after 20 years of age for EOSRD/LCA. Longitudinal analysis revealed a significant difference between baseline and follow-up best-corrected visual acuity in the 3 subcohorts. Macular thickness decreased in most patients with EOSRD/LCA and MD, whereas the majority of patients with RP had increased perifoveal thickness. CONCLUSIONS: A subset of individuals with CRB1 variants present with mild, adult-onset RP. EOSRD/LCA phenotype was significantly associated with null variants, and 167_169 deletion was exclusively present in the MD cohort. The poor OCT lamination may have a degenerative component, as well as being congenital. Disease symmetry and reasonable window for intervention highlight CRB1 retinal dystrophies as a promising target for trials of novel therapeutics.

Phenotyping of ABCA4 Retinopathy by Machine Learning Analysis of Full-Field Electroretinography.

Purpose: Biallelic pathogenic variants in ABCA4 are the commonest cause of monogenic retinal disease. The full-field electroretinogram (ERG) quantifies severity of retinal dysfunction. We explored application of machine learning in ERG interpretation and in genotype-phenotype correlations. Methods: International standard ERGs in 597 cases of ABCA4 retinopathy were classified into three functional phenotypes by human experts: macular dysfunction alone (group 1), or with additional generalized cone dysfunction (group 2), or both cone and rod dysfunction (group 3). Algorithms were developed for automatic selection and measurement of ERG components and for classification of ERG phenotype. Elastic-net regression was used to quantify severity of specific ABCA4 variants based on effect on retinal function. Results: Of the cohort, 57.6%, 7.4%, and 35.0% fell into groups 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Compared with human experts, automated classification showed overall accuracy of 91.8% (SE, 0.169), and 96.7%, 39.3%, and 93.8% for groups 1, 2, and 3. When groups 2 and 3 were combined, the average holdout group accuracy was 93.6% (SE, 0.142). A regression model yielded phenotypic severity scores for the 47 commonest ABCA4 variants. Conclusions: This study quantifies prevalence of phenotypic groups based on retinal function in a uniquely large single-center cohort of patients with electrophysiologically characterized ABCA4 retinopathy and shows applicability of machine learning. Novel regression-based analyses of ABCA4 variant severity could identify individuals predisposed to severe disease. Translational Relevance: Machine learning can yield meaningful classifications of ERG data, and data-driven scoring of genetic variants can identify patients likely to benefit most from future therapies.

Axial Length Distributions in Patients With Genetically Confirmed Inherited Retinal Diseases.

Purpose: We investigated axial length (AL) distributions in inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), comparing them with reference cohorts. Methods: AL measurements from IRD natural history study participants were included and compared with reference cohorts (TwinsUK, Raine Study Gen2-20, and published studies). Comparing with the Raine Study cohort, formal odds ratios (ORs) for AL ≥ 26 mm or AL ≤ 22 mm were derived for each IRD (Firth's logistic regression model, adjusted for age and sex). Results: Measurements were available for 435 patients (median age, 19.5 years). Of 19 diseases, 10 had >10 participants: ABCA4 retinopathy; CNGB3- and CNGA3-associated achromatopsia; RPGR-associated disease; RPE65-associated disease; blue cone monochromacy (BCM); Bornholm eye disease (BED); TYR- and OCA2-associated oculocutaneous albinism; and GPR143-associated ocular albinism. Compared with the TwinsUK cohort (n = 322; median age, 65.1 years) and Raine Study cohort (n = 1335; median age, 19.9 years), AL distributions were wider in the IRD groups. Increased odds for longer ALs were observed for BCM, BED, RPGR, RPE65, OCA2, and TYR; increased odds for short AL were observed for RPE65, TYR, and GPR143. In subanalysis of RPGR-associated disease, longer average ALs occurred in cone-rod dystrophy (n = 5) than rod-cone dystrophy (P = 0.002). Conclusions: Several diseases showed increased odds for longer AL (highest OR with BCM); some showed increased odds for shorter AL (highest OR with GPR143). Patients with RPE65- and TYR-associated disease showed increased odds for longer and for shorter eyes. Albinism genes were associated with different effects on AL. These findings add to the phenotype of IRDs and may yield insights into mechanisms of refractive error development.

Ophthalmological Manifestations of Oculocutaneous and Ocular Albinism: Current Perspectives.

Albinism describes a heterogeneous group of genetically determined disorders characterized by disrupted synthesis of melanin and a range of developmental ocular abnormalities. The main ocular features common to both oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), and ocular albinism (OA) include reduced visual acuity, refractive errors, foveal hypoplasia, congenital nystagmus, iris and fundus hypopigmentation and visual pathway misrouting, but clinical signs vary and there is phenotypic overlap with other pathologies. This study reviews the prevalence, genetics and ocular manifestations of OCA and OA, including abnormal development of the optic chiasm. The role of visual electrophysiology in the detection of chiasmal dysfunction and visual pathway misrouting is emphasized, highlighting how age-associated changes in visual evoked potential (VEP) test results must be considered to enable accurate diagnosis, and illustrated further by the inclusion of novel VEP data in genetically confirmed cases. Differential diagnosis is considered in the context of suspected retinal and other disorders, including rare syndromes that may masquerade as albinism.

ISCEV Standard for full-field clinical electroretinography (2022 update).

The full-field electroretinogram (ERG) is a mass electrophysiological response to diffuse flashes of light and is used widely to assess generalized retinal function. This document, from the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV), presents an updated and revised ISCEV Standard for clinical ERG testing. Minimum protocols for basic ERG stimuli, recording methods and reporting are specified, to promote consistency of methods for diagnosis, monitoring and inter-laboratory comparisons, while also responding to evolving clinical practices and technology. The main changes in this updated ISCEV Standard for clinical ERGs include specifying that ERGs may meet the Standard without mydriasis, providing stimuli adequately compensate for non-dilated pupils. There is more detail about analysis of dark-adapted oscillatory potentials (OPs) and the document format has been updated and supplementary content reduced. There is a more detailed review of the origins of the major ERG components. Several tests previously tabulated as additional ERG protocols are now cited as published ISCEV extended protocols. A non-standard abbreviated ERG protocol is described, for use when patient age, compliance or other circumstances preclude ISCEV Standard ERG testing.

WFS1-Associated Optic Neuropathy: Genotype-Phenotype Correlations and Disease Progression.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pattern of vision loss and genotype-phenotype correlations in WFS1-associated optic neuropathy (WON). DESIGN: Multicenter cohort study. METHODS: The study involved 37 patients with WON carrying pathogenic or candidate pathogenic WFS1 variants. Genetic and clinical data were retrieved from the medical records. Thirteen patients underwent additional comprehensive ophthalmologic assessment. Deep phenotyping involved visual electrophysiology and advanced psychophysical testing with a complementary metabolomic study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: WFS1 variants, functional and structural optic nerve and retinal parameters, and metabolomic profile. RESULTS: Twenty-two recessive and 5 dominant WFS1 variants were identified. Four variants were novel. All WFS1 variants caused loss of macular retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) as assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual electrophysiology. Advanced psychophysical testing indicated involvement of the major RGC subpopulations. Modeling of vision loss showed an accelerated rate of deterioration with increasing age. Dominant WFS1 variants were associated with abnormal reflectivity of the outer plexiform layer (OPL) on OCT imaging. The dominant variants tended to cause less severe vision loss compared with recessive WFS1 variants, which resulted in more variable phenotypes ranging from isolated WON to severe multisystem disease depending on the WFS1 alleles. The metabolomic profile included markers seen in other neurodegenerative diseases and type 1 diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: WFS1 variants result in heterogenous phenotypes influenced by the mode of inheritance and the disease-causing alleles. Biallelic WFS1 variants cause more variable, but generally more severe, vision and RGC loss compared with heterozygous variants. Abnormal cleftlike lamination of the OPL is a distinctive OCT feature that strongly points toward dominant WON.