Abstract
Background: Choroidal neovascularization infrequently occurs in patients affected by hereditary retinal dystrophies. Methods: We studied eight patients suffering from different hereditary retinal dystrophies (Best’s disease, reticular dystrophy, butterfly-shaped dystrophy, gyrate atrophy, and retinitis pigmentosa) who developed choroidal neovascularization. All patients underwent complete ophthalmic evaluation, electrophysiology, colour vision testing, and fluorescein angiography. In some patients, ICG video-angio- graphy was also performed. Laser treatment was carried out in only one patient. Results: The mean duration of follow-up was 41.7 months (range 6–148 months). At CNV diagnosis, the mean VA was 0.23 (range 0.02–0.6). At the last follow-up, mean VA was 0.34 (range HM to 0.9). At the last follow-up, fluorescein angiography showed a focal, atrophic scar in seven eyes, a fibrotic membrane in two eyes and a still active membrane in two cases. Conclusion: We emphasize the relatively favourable visual prognosis in patients suffering from inherited retinal dystrophies complicated with choroidal neovascularization. Therapeutic approaches other than laser treatment could be attempted in these patients.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 7 February 2000 Revised: 23 May 2000 Accepted: 25 May 2000
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Marano, F., Deutman, A., Leys, A. et al. Hereditary retinal dystrophies and choroidal neovascularization. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 238, 760–764 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004170000186
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004170000186