Autosomal dominant macular dystrophy simulating North Carolina macular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize an autosomal dominant macular dystrophy with highly variable expression that does not fall clearly into a known disease entity.

METHODS AND PATIENTS

Clinical, angiographic, and electrophysiologic data of five affected members in a family of Indian origin were evaluated. Molecular genetic analysis was undertaken to assess whether the gene responsible for the phenotype in this pedigree mapped to a region previously assigned to dominantly inherited macular dystrophies, including North Carolina macular dystrophy.

RESULTS

The fundus appearance in the proband simulated stage 3 North Carolina macular dystrophy. Affected relatives had features in common with pattern dystrophy, fundus flavimaculatus with a dark choroid, and dominantly inherited drusen. Linkage to loci assigned to a number of retinal dystrophies principally affecting the posterior pole, including the North Carolina macular dystrophy locus, was excluded.

CONCLUSION

The findings support the view that different genotypes are associated with similar phenotypes in autosomal dominant macular dystrophy.