Clinical and molecular findings in a cohort of 152 Brazilian severe early onset inherited retinal dystrophy patients.

Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and early-onset retinal dystrophy (EORD) are severe inherited retinal dystrophy that can cause deep blindness childhood. They represent 5% of all retinal dystrophies in the world population and about 10% in Brazil. Clinical findings and molecular basis of syndromic and nonsyndromic LCA/EORD in a Brazilian sample (152 patients/137 families) were studied. In this population, 15 genes were found to be related to the phenotype, 38 new variants were detected and four new complex alleles were discovered. Among 123 variants found, the most common were CEP290: c.2991+1655A>G, CRB1: p.Cys948Tyr, and RPGRIP1: exon10-18 deletion.

Novel mutations in the PITX2 gene in Pakistani and Mexican families with Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome.

PURPOSE: Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder that affects the anterior segment of the eye. The aim of this study was to examine the PITX2 gene to identify possible novel mutations in Pakistani and Mexican families affected by the ARS phenotype. METHODS: Three unrelated probands with a diagnosis of ARS were recruited for this study. Genomic DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of the probands and their family members. Polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing were used for the analysis of coding exons and the flanking intronic regions of the PITX2 gene. Bioinformatics tools and database (VarSome, Provean, and MutationTaster, SIFT, PolyPhen-2, and HOPE) were evaluated to explore missense variants. RESULTS: We identified novel heterozygous variations in the PITX2 gene that segregated with the ARS phenotype within the families. The variant NM_153426.2(PITX2):c.226G > T or p.(Ala76Ser) and the mutation NM_153426.2(PITX2):c.455G > A or p.(Cys152Tyr) were identified in two Pakistani pedigrees, and the mutation NM_153426.2(PITX2):c.242_265del or p.(Lys81_Gln88del), segregated in a Mexican family. CONCLUSION: Our study extends the spectrum of PITX2 mutations in individuals with ARS, enabling an improved diagnosis of this rare but serious syndrome.

Benign familial fleck retina: multimodal imaging including optical coherence tomography angiography.

This report presents multimodal imaging of a 27-year-old woman diagnosed with benign familial fleck retina (OMIM 228980), an uncommon disorder. Fundus photographs revealed retinal flecks that affected her post-equatorial retina but spared the macular area. Fundus autofluorescence and infrared imaging demonstrated a symmetrical pattern of yellow-white fleck lesions that affected both eyes. Her full-field electroretinogram and electrooculogram were normal. An optical coherence tomography B-scan was performed for both eyes, revealing increased thickness of the retinal pigmented epithelium leading to multiple small pigmented epithelium detachments. The outer retina remained intact in both eyes. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography angiography with split-spectrum amplitude decorrelation algorithm and 3 × 3 mm structural en face optical coherence tomography did not show macular lesions. Benign familial fleck retina belongs to a heterogenous group of so-called flecked retina syndromes, and should be considered in patients with yellowish-white retinal lesions without involvement of the macula.

Benign familial fleck retina: multimodal imaging including optical coherence tomography angiography / Benign familial fleck retina: estudo multimodal incluindo OCT angiography

ABSTRACT This report presents multimodal imaging of a 27-year-old woman diagnosed with benign familial fleck retina (OMIM 228980), an uncommon disorder. Fundus photographs revealed retinal flecks that affected her post-equatorial retina but spared the macular area. Fundus autofluorescence and infrared imaging demonstrated a symmetrical pattern of yellow-white fleck lesions that affected both eyes. Her full-field electroretinogram and electrooculogram were normal. An optical coherence tomography B-scan was performed for both eyes, revealing increased thickness of the retinal pigmented epithelium leading to multiple small pigmented epithelium detachments. The outer retina remained intact in both eyes. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography angiography with split-spectrum amplitude decorrelation algorithm and 3 × 3 mm structural en face optical coherence tomography did not show macular lesions. Benign familial fleck retina belongs to a heterogenous group of so-called flecked retina syndromes, and should be considered in patients with yellowish-white retinal lesions without involvement of the macula.

RESUMO O objetivo do presente relato é demonstrar um estudo multimodal de um paciente com diagnóstico de Benign Familial Fleck Retina (BFFR) (OMIM 228980), uma alteração retinana muito rara. Retinografia colorida demonstrou "flecks" na retina posterior ao equador, poupando mácula. Tanto autofluorescência quando imagem "infrared," nota-se padrão simétrico de lesões amareladas em ambos os olhos. Eletrorretinograma padrão de campo total e EOG não evidenciaram alterações. SD OCT B-scan demostrou pequenos e múltiplos descolamentos do epitélio pigmentado (EPR), com retina externa intacta em ambos os olhos. Angiografia por OCT com "split-spectrum amplitude decorrelation algorithm" e "structural" "en face" OCT 3 x 3 mm não apontaram anormalidades na mácula. BFFR pertence ao heterogêneo grupo chamado "flecked retina syndromes," devendo ser considerada em pacientes com flecks retinianos poupando mácula.

Pattern of inner retinal layers involvement in pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy as determined by SD-OCT: case report / Padrão de envolvimento das camadas retinianas internas na atrofia retinocoroidiana pigmentada paravenosa determinado pelo SD-OCT: relato de caso

Pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy is an ocular disease characterized by outer retina and choroidal atrophy often with overlying intraretinal bone spicule pigment deposition along the retinal veins. As a rare condition, there is scant information in the literature regarding the pattern of inner retinal layers involvement. We present a case of a 41-year-old white man initially referred for a glaucoma evaluation. Fundoscopy revealed patches of retinochoroidal atrophy and light pigmentation extending from the optic nerve head along the inferior-temporal retinal veins in both eyes. Using different spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) protocols we identified a significant thinning of the inner retinal layers along the inferior-temporal veins, but with a lucid interval surrounding the optic nerve head. Standard automated perimetry revealed a superior absolute arcuate scotoma sparing the central fixation (good structure-functional correlation). This pattern of inner retinal layers involvement was not previously described. We believe SD-OCT added significantly to the anatomical description of this case. Physicians should consider these new anatomical findings and correlate them with functional status while assessing these patients.

Atrofia retinocoroidiana pigmentada paravenosa é uma doença ocular caracterizada por atrofia localizada da coroide e da retina externa associada a áreas de pigmentação em espícula óssea depositada ao longo das veias retinianas. Como é uma condição rara, há pouca informação na literatura sobre o padrão de envolvimento das camadas mais internas da retina. Relatamos o caso de um homem branco, de 41 anos, encaminhado incialmente para avaliação de glaucoma. Apresentava à fundoscopia áreas de atrofia retinocoroidiana com pigmentação leve sobrejacente, estendendo-se desde o disco óptico e seguindo ao longo da veia temporal inferior da retina em ambos os olhos. Por meio de diferentes protocolos da tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral (SD-OCT) identificamos um afinamento significante das camadas internas da retina ao longo da veia temporal inferior, mas com uma área de intervalo lúcido ao redor do disco óptico. A perimetria automatizada acromática revelou um escotoma arqueado superior absoluto, poupando a fixação central em ambos os olhos e correspondendo às áreas de atrofia ao longo das veias retinianas (boa correlação anátomo-funcional). Este padrão de envolvimento das camadas retinianas internas não havia sido descrito anteriormente. Acreditamos que o SD-OCT contribuiu significativamente para a descrição anatômica desse caso e que estes novos achados devam ser considerados e correlacionados com o estado funcional ao avaliar esses pacientes.

Pattern of inner retinal layers involvement in pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy as determined by SD-OCT: case report.

Pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy is an ocular disease characterized by outer retina and choroidal atrophy often with overlying intraretinal bone spicule pigment deposition along the retinal veins. As a rare condition, there is scant information in the literature regarding the pattern of inner retinal layers involvement. We present a case of a 41-year-old white man initially referred for a glaucoma evaluation. Fundoscopy revealed patches of retinochoroidal atrophy and light pigmentation extending from the optic nerve head along the inferior-temporal retinal veins in both eyes. Using different spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) protocols we identified a significant thinning of the inner retinal layers along the inferior-temporal veins, but with a lucid interval surrounding the optic nerve head. Standard automated perimetry revealed a superior absolute arcuate scotoma sparing the central fixation (good structure-functional correlation). This pattern of inner retinal layers involvement was not previously described. We believe SD-OCT added significantly to the anatomical description of this case. Physicians should consider these new anatomical findings and correlate them with functional status while assessing these patients.

[Evaluation of fundus autofluorescence in hereditary retinal diseases using Heidelberg Retina Angiograph2]. / Avaliação da autofluorescência do fundo de olho nas distrofias de retina com o aparelho Heidelberg Retina Angiograph2.

PURPOSE: To define characteristics of the fundus autofluorescence examination, verifying usefulness in the diagnosis and care of hereditary retinal diseases. METHODS: 28 patients, adults, divided equally into four groups with diagnoses of Stargardt macular dystrophy, cone dystrophy, retinitis pigmentosa and healthy volunteers for the establishment of the normality pattern. An average of nine images with the filter for fluorescein angiography was obtained for the formation of the image autofluorescence using Heidelberg Retina Angiograph2. The images of each group of patients were analyzed to verify common characteristics. RESULTS: The fundus autofluorescence of healthy volunteers showed the foveal area darker than the surrounding retina. The images of Stargardt macular dystrophy, in general, presented an oval central lesion, with reduced autofluorescence. The main alterations of the autofluorescence in patients with cone dystrophy were reduced foveal autofluorescence with a parafoveal ring of increased autofluorescence. In general, the images of retinitis pigmentosa showed outlying pigments with reduced autofluorescence, and of the foveal area, in some cases disorganization or reduced autofluorescence. CONCLUSION: The study showed the existence of patterns of fundus autofluorescence in the hereditary retinal diseases that allow the diagnosis and better interpretation of the pathogenesis of these diseases.

Avaliação da autofluorescência do fundo de olho nas distrofias de retina com o aparelho Heidelberg Retina Angiograph2 / Evaluation of fundus autofluorescence in hereditary retinal diseases using Heidelberg Retina Angiograph2

OBJETIVOS: Definir características do exame de autofluorescência, verificando sua utilidade no diagnóstico e acompanhamento de distrofias retinianas. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo, 28 pacientes, adultos, divididos igualmente em quatro grupos com diagnósticos de doença de Stargardt, distrofia de Cones, retinose pigmentar e voluntários saudáveis para estabelecimento do padrão de normalidade. Em média foram obtidas nove imagens com o filtro para angiofluoresceinografia para a formação da imagem autofluorescente no Heidelberg Retina Angiograph2. As imagens de cada grupo de pacientes foram analisadas para verificar características comuns. RESULTADOS: As imagens fundoscópicas autofluorescentes dos voluntários do grupo controle mostraram área foveal hipoautofluorescente em relação à retina do pólo posterior. As imagens dos portadores de doença de Stargardt, em geral, apresentaram lesão hipoautofluorescente, correspondendo à área macular. As principais alterações da autofluorescência em pacientes com distrofia de cones foram hipoautofluorescência macular com halo hiperautofluorescente. Nos portadores de retinose pigmentar, foram encontrados pigmentos periféricos causando hipoautofluorescência. Na região macular, hipoautofluorescência ou apenas desorganização do pigmento. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo mostrou a existência de padrões de autofluorescência de fundo nas distrofias de retina que permitem o diagnóstico e melhor interpretação da fisiopatogenia destas doenças.

PURPOSE: To define characteristics of the fundus autofluorescence examination, verifying usefulness in the diagnosis and care of hereditary retinal diseases. METHODS: 28 patients, adults, divided equally into four groups with diagnoses of Stargardt macular dystrophy, cone dystrophy, retinitis pigmentosa and healthy volunteers for the establishment of the normality pattern. An average of nine images with the filter for fluorescein angiography was obtained for the formation of the image autofluorescence using Heidelberg Retina Angiograph2. The images of each group of patients were analyzed to verify common characteristics. RESULTS: The fundus autofluorescence of healthy volunteers showed the foveal area darker than the surrounding retina. The images of Stargardt macular dystrophy, in general, presented an oval central lesion, with reduced autofluorescence. The main alterations of the autofluorescence in patients with cone dystrophy were reduced foveal autofluorescence with a parafoveal ring of increased autofluorescence. In general, the images of retinitis pigmentosa showed outlying pigments with reduced autofluorescence, and of the foveal area, in some cases disorganization or reduced autofluorescence. CONCLUSION: The study showed the existence of patterns of fundus autofluorescence in the hereditary retinal diseases that allow the diagnosis and better interpretation of the pathogenesis of these diseases.