Cone-rod dystrophy with serpentine-like retinal deposits.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical and electrophysiologic findings in a novel retinal dystrophy.

METHODS

Ophthalmologic and electrophysiologic examinations were performed in 3 affected members of 1 family: a 10-year-old girl, her 30-year-old mother, and her 59-year-old maternal grandfather. Electro-oculography (EOG) and electroretinography (ERG) were performed according to the standards of the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision.

RESULTS

In all 3 family members, gray, serpentine-like deposits were seen at the level of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). These were most distinct in the child, less prominent in her mother, and barely visible in the grandfather. Visual acuity was 20/25 OU in the child and 20/200 OU in both adults. Visual field testing showed normal outer limits and small paracentral scotomas in both adults. Electroretinographic recording revealed slightly reduced amplitudes in the 10-year-old girl, cone dysfunction in her mother, and cone-rod dysfunction in the grandfather. Multifocal ERG responses were reduced but recordable in the mother. The EOG light peak amplitude was normal in both females and borderline in the grandfather. The light peak was delayed in all 3 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Similar deposits at the level of the RPE have not been described in other inherited retinal dystrophies. This family appears to have a novel form of cone-rod dystrophy with deposits at the level of the RPE and probable autosomal dominant inheritance.