Stargardt and Fundus Flavimaculatus; Pathophysiology, Clinical Findings, Imaging Characteristics, and Diagnosis

Abstract

Stargardt disease (STGD) is the most common form of recessively inherited macular dystrophy. It is characterized by the presence of an atrophic macular lesion, which is surrounded by irregular, white-yellow, deep retinal lesions (flecks). There is wide variability in age at onset, visual acuity, fundus appearance, and severity of the disease. Fundus examination can be normal but visual acuity can be reduced early in the course of the disease. In these patients, pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) will be helped in establishing the diagnosis of STGD. The typical sign of “choroidal silence” or dark choroid on fluorescein angiography (FA) is not present in all patients with STGD and is not specific to this condition.