Yasuo Yanagi1, Osamu Okajima, Mikiro Mori. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan. yanagi-tky@umin.ac.jp
Abstract
PURPOSE: To report long-term follow-up of patients with pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy (PPRCA) and to assess the involvement of the choroid and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in PPRCA. METHODS: Clinical features of PPRCA were studied retrospectively in four patients followed for 6-26 years. Retinal pigment epithelium and choroidal changes were analysed with fluorescein and indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. RESULTS: The two younger patients, aged 16 and 28 years and followed for 6 and 18 years, respectively, showed stationary RPE atrophy and pigmentation. Indocyanine green angiography visualized slight to modest atrophy of the choriocapillaris. The two older patients, aged 69 and 70 years and each followed for 26 years, showed slow progression of disease during follow-up. Indocyanine green angiography revealed choriocapillaris atrophy partly extending into the areas shown as hyperfluorescent in fluorescein angiography. CONCLUSION: Pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy is probably a slowly progressive disease, particularly in older patients. The choriocapillaris atrophy in this disease is more properly evaluated by ICG angiography and can be underestimated by fluorescein anigiography.
PURPOSE: To report long-term follow-up of patients with pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy (PPRCA) and to assess the involvement of the choroid and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in PPRCA. METHODS: Clinical features of PPRCA were studied retrospectively in four patients followed for 6-26 years. Retinal pigment epithelium and choroidal changes were analysed with fluorescein and indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. RESULTS: The two younger patients, aged 16 and 28 years and followed for 6 and 18 years, respectively, showed stationary RPE atrophy and pigmentation. Indocyanine green angiography visualized slight to modest atrophy of the choriocapillaris. The two older patients, aged 69 and 70 years and each followed for 26 years, showed slow progression of disease during follow-up. Indocyanine green angiography revealed choriocapillaris atrophy partly extending into the areas shown as hyperfluorescent in fluorescein angiography. CONCLUSION:Pigmented paravenous retinochoroidal atrophy is probably a slowly progressive disease, particularly in older patients. The choriocapillaris atrophy in this disease is more properly evaluated by ICG angiography and can be underestimated by fluorescein anigiography.