Rapid progression of chorioretinal atrophy in punctate inner choroiditis: a case report

Background The chorioretinal inflammatory lesions occurring in punctate inner choroiditis evolve into punched-out atrophic scars. Typically, the progression is gradual. We report a case of highly myopic punctate inner choroiditis with rapid progression of chorioretinal atrophy. Case presentation A 48-year-old Japanese woman with high myopia presented with decreased visual acuity. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/28 in the right eye and 20/16 in the left eye; axial length was 29.0 mm and 28.7 mm, respectively. Fundoscopy revealed an epiretinal membrane in the left eye. Three years later, the best-corrected visual acuity in the left eye had decreased to 20/33; at this time, the patient underwent vitrectomy with epiretinal membrane and internal limiting membrane peeling in this eye. Six months later, the best-corrected visual acuity in the left eye decreased suddenly to 20/100. Optical coherence tomography showed a nodule-like lesion in the outer retina with disruption of the retinal pigment epithelium and a focally thickened choroid, compatible with PIC. One month later, the choroidal thickness had decreased. The central chorioretinal atrophy expanded rapidly at a rate of 0.45 mm2/year over the next 3 years, and new areas of patchy focal chorioretinal atrophy developed in the perifovea. Conclusions Rapid progression of chorioretinal atrophy was observed in a patient with punctate inner choroiditis. Because punctate inner choroiditis is often associated with degenerative myopia, the retina is fragile and may be susceptible to mechanical damage. This case report alerts clinicians to the need for careful management of patients with punctate inner choroiditis, especially after vitrectomy.

Knobloch Yndrome Associated with Novel COL18A1 Variants in Chinese Population

Knobloch syndrome is an inherited disorder characterized by high myopia, retinal detachment, and occipital defects. Disease-causing mutations have been identified in the COL18A1 gene. This study aimed to investigate novel variants of COL18A1 in Knobloch syndrome and describe the associated phenotypes in Chinese patients. We reported six patients with Knobloch syndrome from four unrelated families in whom we identified five novel COL18A1 mutations. Clinical examination showed that all probands presented with high myopia, chorioretinal atrophy, and macular defects; one exhibited rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in one eye. Occipital defects were detected in one patient.

The Association in Myopic Tractional Maculopathy With Myopic Atrophy Maculopathy

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between myopic tractional maculopathy (MTM) and myopic atrophy maculopathy (MAM).Method: Two hundred and six eyes with definitive myopic retinoschisis were assessed in the retrospective observational case series study and the atrophic and tractional features were further evaluated. Atrophic changes were analyzed according to the atrophic component in the ATN classification and the occurrence of gamma zones and delta zones. Tractional changes were evaluated based on different retinoschisis layers, the location and range of outer retinoschisis, retinal detachment, inner lamellar macular hole (ILMH), outer lamellar MH (OLMH), full-thickness MH (FTMH), and paravascular abnormalities.Results: Of all the eyes, 29.6, 42.7, 19.4, and 8.3% presented MAM grades with A1, A2, A3, and A4, respectively. The three layers of retinoschisis and the entire macular retinoschisis had the highest incidences in A2 (38.6%; 54.5%). The numbers of retinoschisis layers and the grades of outer retinoschisis had a weak negative correlation with MAM (r = −0.138, P = 0.048; r = −0.139, P = 0.047). All the eyes had gamma zones, and 82.52% of eyes also had delta zones. The incidence of retinal detachment and OLMH reached the peak in A2 and then decreased gradually. With MAM aggravation, the prevalence of ILMH decreased. Eyes with A1 and A2 were more likely to have OLMH, and those with A3 and A4 were more likely to have FTMH (P = 0.028; OR, 3.423; 95% CI, 1.144–10.236; P = 0.004; OR, 7.752; 95% CI, 1.951–30.803). With the MAM grades growing, the types of paravascular abnormalities increased (r = 0.165, P = 0.018).Conclusion: Diffuse chorioretinal atrophy was the dominant MAM grade in eyes with MTM. In the study, 72.3% of eyes with MTM presented with diffuse chorioretinal atrophy and a tessellated fundus. Over 80% of eyes with MTM had both gamma zones and delta zones. Diffuse chorioretinal atrophy might be a complicated stage for MTM with the highest rate of three layers of retinoschisis, the entire macular retinoschisis, RD, and OLMH. Atrophic progression might involve the development of MH. When MTM combines with well-defined atrophy, the occurrence of FTMH should be noted.

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.

Expanding the Phenotypic and Genotypic Spectrum of Bietti Crystalline Dystrophy

The rare form of retinal dystrophy, Bietti crystalline dystrophy, is associated with variations in CYP4V2, a member of the cytochrome P450 family. This study reports patients affected by typical and atypical Bietti crystalline dystrophy, expanding the spectrum of this disease. This is an observational case series of patients with a clinical and molecular diagnosis of Bietti crystalline dystrophy that underwent multimodal imaging. Four unrelated patients are described with two known variants, c.802-8_810del17insGC and c.518T > G (p.Leu173Trp), and one novel missense variant, c.1169G > T (p.Arg390Leu). The patient with the novel homozygous variant had the most severe phenotype resulting in macular hole formation and retinal detachment in both eyes. To the best of our knowledge, there is no association of these features with Bietti crystalline dystrophy. Patient 1 was the youngest patient and had the mildest phenotype with crystals in the retina without chorioretinal atrophy and visual complaints. Patients 2 and 3 presented with fewer crystals and chorioretinal atrophy. These three patients presented a classic phenotype. The fourth patient presented with an atypical and severe phenotype. This study reveals a new genotype and new phenotype associated with this disorder.