AIM: To report the natural history of subretinal fluid (SRF) causing foveal detachment in macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) and our experience of therapeutic intervention with intravitreal steroids or antivascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor (anti-VEGF) agents in some cases. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Three of the MacTel study's largest registries were searched to identify eyes with foveal detachment. RESULTS: We identified 7 eyes from 6 exclusively female patients. The prevalence of foveal detachment was low, present in 1.4% of the assessed MacTel population. Age at presentation ranged from 50 to 66 years. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 8 years. There was late-phase leakage on fluorescein angiography from what was presumed to be ectatic capillaries. The SRF fluctuated without a rapid decline in visual acuity in cases that were not treated. When they were, intravitreal anti-VEGF and steroid therapy in general reduced SRF, at least temporarily, but did not halt the gradual long-term decrease in visual acuity. In one case, optical coherence tomography angiography showed significant reduction in the extent of the predominantly deep intraretinal vascular complex 1 month after anti-VEGF therapy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: As the natural history of this unusual MacTel phenotype is not characterised by rapid visual decline, intervention with intravitreal anti-VEGF or steroid therapy may not be necessary. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.
AIM: To report the natural history of subretinal fluid (SRF) causing foveal detachment in macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) and our experience of therapeutic intervention with intravitreal steroids or antivascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor (anti-VEGF) agents in some cases. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Three of the MacTel study's largest registries were searched to identify eyes with foveal detachment. RESULTS: We identified 7 eyes from 6 exclusively female patients. The prevalence of foveal detachment was low, present in 1.4% of the assessed MacTel population. Age at presentation ranged from 50 to 66 years. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 8 years. There was late-phase leakage on fluorescein angiography from what was presumed to be ectatic capillaries. The SRF fluctuated without a rapid decline in visual acuity in cases that were not treated. When they were, intravitreal anti-VEGF and steroid therapy in general reduced SRF, at least temporarily, but did not halt the gradual long-term decrease in visual acuity. In one case, optical coherence tomography angiography showed significant reduction in the extent of the predominantly deep intraretinal vascular complex 1 month after anti-VEGF therapy. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: As the natural history of this unusual MacTel phenotype is not characterised by rapid visual decline, intervention with intravitreal anti-VEGF or steroid therapy may not be necessary. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.
Authors: Gayle B Collin; Lanying Shi; Minzhong Yu; Nurten Akturk; Jeremy R Charette; Lillian F Hyde; Sonia M Weatherly; Martin F Pera; Jürgen K Naggert; Neal S Peachey; Patsy M Nishina; Mark P Krebs Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2022-02-17 Impact factor: 5.923