Autofluorescence manifestation in children with hereditary retinal diseases

Abstract

Objective To observe the autofluorescence (AF) manifestation in children with hereditary retinal diseases. Methods The clinical data of 22 children (aged from 5 to 14 years) with hereditary retinal diseases were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 children (16 eyes) with Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, 3 children (6 eyes) with Stargardt macular dystrophy, 3 children (6 eyes) with macular cone dystrophy, 5 children (10 eyes) with primary retinitis pigmentosa, and 3 children (6 eyes) with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis. The routine clinical examinations included present history, family history, visual acuity, silt-lamp microscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, color fundus photography and fundus autofluorescence angiography (FAF). Some patients received fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA),electroretinogram (ERG), electrooculogram (EOG), and ocular coherence tomography (OCT). The characteristics of AF in all the children were analyzed, and were compared with the images of color fundus and/or FFA. Results Symmetry round macular fluorescent weak or absent area was found in all Stargardt disease and cone dystrophy. Weak AF area with surrounded circular increased AF was found in 2 children (4 eyes) with cone dystrophy and 1 child (2 eyes) with Stargardt macular dystrophy. A central round area with regular or irregular intense AF was observed in Best vitelliform macular dystrophy. RP children showed increased AF out of the macular region. Cellular or granular strong AF was found in the fovea of 3 children (5 eyes) with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis. Conclusion The children with hereditary retinal diseases had special AF changes. Key words: Retinal diseases/congenital; Eye diseases, hereditary; Fluorescence; Fluorescein angiography