Cancer-Associated Retinopathy (CAR) And Melanoma-Associated Retinopathy (MAR)

Abstract

Cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) and melanoma-associated retinopathy (MAR) are rare paraneoplastic syndromes in which antibodies are directed against retinal antigens, independent of primary tumor or metastasis, that can cause vision loss. The fact that these antigens differ according to different types of cancer causes the developing retinopathy and accordingly the symptoms to be heterogeneous and causing difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. The literature on this subject is limited with few reported case reports and case series. The lack of controlled clinical studies also makes it difficult for clinicians to manage these cases. Paraneoplastic syndromes are important because they can diagnose undiagnosed malignancies or indicate recurrence of treated malignancies. The appearance of the symptoms of CAR and MAR is of great importance for the prognosis of cancer, as it may precede cancer findings. In addition, with early diagnosis, irreversible retinal damage will be minimal. In this review, the pathophysiology, clinical findings and treatments of CAR and MAR are emphasized.