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Open Access 01-03-2008 | Original Research Article

Functional characteristics of patients with retinal dystrophy that manifest abnormal parafoveal annuli of high density fundus autofluorescence; a review and update

Authors: Anthony G. Robson, Michel Michaelides, Zubin Saihan, Alan C. Bird, Andrew R. Webster, Anthony T. Moore, Fred W. Fitzke, Graham E. Holder

Published in: Documenta Ophthalmologica | Issue 2/2008

Abstract

Purpose To examine the presence and functional significance of annular fundus autofluorescence abnormalities in patients with different retinal dystrophies. Methods Eighty one patients were ascertained who had a parafoveal ring of high density on fundus autofluorescence imaging. Sixty two had had a clinical diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) or Usher syndrome with normal visual acuity. Others included a case of Leber congenital amaurosis and genetically confirmed cases of cone or cone-rod dystrophy (GUCA1A, RPGR, RIMS1), “cone dystrophy with supernormal rod ERG” (KCNV2) and X-linked retinoschisis (RS1). International-standard full-field and pattern electroretinography (ERG; PERG) were performed. Some patients with rod-cone or cone-rod dystrophy underwent multifocal ERG (mfERG) testing and photopic and scotopic fine matrix mapping (FMM). Results In patients with RP, the radius of the parafoveal ring of high density correlated with PERG P50 (R = 0.83, P < 0.0005, N = 62) and encircled areas of preserved photopic function. In the other patients, AF rings either resembled those seen in RP or encircled an area of central atrophy. Ring radius was inversely related to the PERG P50 component in 4 of 18 cases with a detectable response. FMM showed that arcs of high density were associated with a gradient of sensitivity change. Conclusions Parafoveal rings of high density autofluorescence are a non-specific manifestation of retinal dysfunction that can occur in different retinal dystrophies. Electrophysiology remains essential for accurate diagnosis. The high correlation of autofluorescence with PERG, mfERG and FMM demonstrates that AF abnormalities have functional significance and may help identify suitable patients and retinal areas amenable to future therapeutic intervention.

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Title: Functional characteristics of patients with retinal dystrophy that manifest abnormal parafoveal annuli of high density fundus autofluorescence; a review and update
Authors: Anthony G. Robson
Michel Michaelides
Zubin Saihan
Alan C. Bird
Andrew R. Webster
Anthony T. Moore
Fred W. Fitzke
Graham E. Holder
Publication date: 01-03-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Documenta Ophthalmologica / Issue 2/2008
Print ISSN: 0012-4486
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2622
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10633-007-9087-4

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Functional characteristics of patients with retinal dystrophy that manifest abnormal parafoveal annuli of high density fundus autofluorescence; a review and update

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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