Carriers of X-linked recessive retinitis pigmentosa: investigation by vitreous fluorophotometry.

The blood-retinal barrier was assessed by vitreous fluorophotometry in nine carriers of X-linked recessive retinitis pigmentosa. A breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier was apparent in all patients. In one carrier, the barrier was compromised even when abnormalities were not apparent in the retina ophthalmoscopically or by electroretinogram testing. The degree of abnormality of the blood-retinal barrier tended to parallel the extent of abnormalities noted on ophthalmoscopy, visual field examination, and electroretinogram testing.