Abstract: Inherited retinal diseases (IRD) are a leading cause of blindness in the working age population. The advances in ocular genetics, retinal imaging and molecular biology, have conspired to create the ideal environment for establishing treatments for IRD, with the first approved gene therapy and the commencement of multiple therapy trials. The scope of this review is to familiarize clinicians and scientists with the current landscape of retinal imaging in IRD. Herein we present in a comprehensive and concise manner the imaging findings of: (I) macular dystrophies (MD) [Stargardt disease (ABCA4), X-linked retinoschisis (RS1), Best disease (BEST1), pattern dystrophy (PRPH2), Sorsby fundus dystrophy (TIMP3), and autosomal dominant drusen (EFEMP1)], (II) cone and cone-rod dystrophies (GUCA1A, PRPH2, ABCA4 and RPGR), (III) cone dysfunction syndromes [achromatopsia (CNGA3, CNGB3, PDE6C, PDE6H, GNAT2, ATF6], blue-cone monochromatism (OPN1LW/OPN1MW array), oligocone trichromacy, bradyopsia (RGS9/R9AP) and Bornholm eye disease (OPN1LW/OPN1MW), (IV) Leber congenital amaurosis (GUCY2D, CEP290, CRB1, RDH12, RPE65, TULP1, AIPL1 and NMNAT1), (V) rod-cone dystrophies [retinitis pigmentosa, enhanced S-Cone syndrome (NR2E3), Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (CYP4V2)], (VI) rod dysfunction syndromes (congenital stationary night blindness, fundus albipunctatus (RDH5), Oguchi disease (SAG, GRK1), and (VII) chorioretinal dystrophies [choroideremia (CHM), gyrate atrophy (OAT)].
The inherited retinal diseases (IRD) have heterogeneous clinical presentation, which can result in diagnostic challenge. Diagnosis commonly involved multimodal retinal imaging, as well as psychophysical and electrophysiological evaluation. They constitute the leading cause of legal blindness in England and Wales amongst working-age adults, and the second commonest in childhood (1), having a great impact on the individuals and families affected (2), and they are subject to a range of interventions and research avenues (3). Here, we categorise IRD on the basis of the primarily affected retinal cell-type and disease natural history (stationary or progressive). We prioritised the selected conditions based on: (I) their prevalence, (II) ongoing trial(s) of novel therapeutics, and (III) distinctive imaging findings.
MD are a group of IRD characterised by bilateral, relatively symmetrical macular abnormalities that significantly impair central visual function (4). Below we present the imaging findings of the commonest subtypes (5), including Stargardt disease (STGD), Best disease (BD), X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS), Sorsby fundus dystrophy (SFD), pattern dystrophy (PD), and autosomal dominant drusen (ADD).
STGD (ABCA4, OMIM 601691) is the most common MD. The most common presentation is a widespread deposition of lipofuscin (bisretinoids) in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), leading to the classical fundus appearance of retinal flecks. The spectrum of disease is highly variable, ranging from generalised cone and rod system involvement (COD/CORD ABCA4 disease is presented in the next section) to isolated macular disease (Figure 1A) (6-11). Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) demonstrates a dark choroidal phase due to masking from lipofuscin deposition in the RPE; but has been superseded by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus autofluorescence (FAF). A characteristic pattern of areas of increased and decreased signal on FAF imaging is seen in STGD. FAF imaging may serve as a monitoring tool, and decreased autofluorescence area measurements can be used as a structural outcome for interventional clinical trials (12,13). The peripheral fundus FAF findings and the classification of the posterior pole appearance can be achieved with Ultra-wide field FAF (UWF-FAF) (14-17).
OCT sensitively quantifies RPE atrophy and the severity and extent of outer retinal loss (photoreceptor loss). Moreover, it can identify asymptomatic childhood-onset STGD, by demonstrating hyperreflectivity at the base of the foveal outer nuclear layer (6). The anatomical level of the retinal flecks can be demonstrated and can be correlated with visual function (9,10,18-22). The earliest structural changes of the disease are juxtafoveal and appear to spare the foveola (6). Photoreceptor loss is likely to precede RPE degeneration; both of which contribute to choriocapillaris loss (23,24). In vivo cellular imaging using adaptive optics (AO), proved reduced cone densities and increased photoreceptor spacing (25,26). The cones can be reliably counted, and tracked over time (27).
BD (BEST1, OMIM 607854) is the second most common MD and is an autosomal dominant condition, due to disease-causing variants in BEST1 (28). Early stage (Stage 1) disease is characterised by a normal fundus or minimal RPE changes (pre-vitelliform). The classical appearance of BD is the single, bilateral symmetrical egg-yolk-like (vitelliform) lesion at the fovea (Stage 2). Over time, this lesion can start to undergo resorption, progressing to a ‘pseudohypopyon’ (Stage 3). The subretinal yellow material gravitates inferiorly within the lesion. Stage 1 and 2 are associated with normal visual acuity (VA), and patients can be identified during a family survey or co-incidentally. VA reduction is observed from stage 3 onwards. Further breakdown of subretinal material can result in a ‘vitelliruptive stage’ (Stage 4). End-stage disease (Stage 5) is characterised by either sub-RPE fibrosis (29), atrophy, or choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). Despite the classification of the fundus appearance into stages, there is rarely predictable progression from one to the other.
The subretinal vitelliform lesion presents with a high signal on FAF imaging and it is best visualized with OCT (Figure 1B) (30). A common finding is subretinal fluid (SRF) which waxes and wanes over time. Inherited causes of vitelliform lesion can be distinguished from non-inherited acquired disorders due to the increased signal on FAF. The fibrosis that can occur in advanced BD has been described as resembling a “circus tent” due to its exaggerated height and unusual height-to-base ratio (31). OCTA has suggested this fibrosis to have a neovascular origin (32). Fibrotic lesions appear hypoautofluorescent on FAF. OCTA is particularly useful in identifying CNV in vitelliform disorders including BD, where FFA can be very challenging to interpret (4).
XLRS (RS1, OMIM 312700) is the most common form of juvenile-onset retinal degeneration in males (4). The hallmark feature of XLRS is the “spoke-wheel” folds of the macula (macular schisis) (Figure 1C). Peripheral retinal changes are observed in approximately 50% of males, including, schisis (with inner or outer retinal holes), pigmentary disturbance, white spiculations, metallic sheen, neovascularisation and vitreous veils. An increased risk of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD), or vitreous haemorrhage (VH) has been reported for patients with peripheral retinoschisis (33). Bullous XLRS can be congenital or develop soon after birth, and it can be complicated later in life by RD, which may be rhegmatogenous, tractional or a Coats-like exudative detachment (34). The development of macular atrophy may lead to slow VA loss in older adults.
The identification of macular schisis can be challenging on clinical examination, making multimodal imaging invaluable. Splitting of the inner and outer retinal layers can be readily identified with OCT, and a spoke-wheel appearance of concentric areas of high- and low-signal intensity is observed with FAF imaging (Figure 1C). Rarely macular OCT can be normal/near normal, and peripheral changes are then the only clue to the clinical diagnosis. Ultra-wide field imaging with FFA and OCTA can be helpful identifying less common vascular abnormalities such as vascular sheathing and neovascularization (35). Increased and irregular cone spacing within the foveal schisis is reported with AO imaging. However, the presence of preserved wave-guiding cones at the fovea and macular regions may indicate a good potential for successful rescue with intervention (23,36).
SFD (TIMP3, OMIM 188826) is a rare ADD-associated MD. FAF imaging may identify a broad ill-defined increase in signal in the peripheral macula in early disease, with subretinal drusenoid deposits - reticular pseudodrusen, that spare the central fovea, clearly depicted on infra-red imaging (Figure 1D). OCT can identify drusen-like deposits and delineate Bruch membrane thickening; and is valuable in the diagnosis of CNV. Early CNV changes can be captured with OCTA, without the need for FFA (37).
PD (PRPH2, OMIM 179605) is characterized by variable distributions of pigment deposition at the level of the RPE. The deposits in PD are typically hyperautofluorescent on FAF, and may result in a characteristic speckled pattern (38). As these changes are at the level of RPE, subretinal hyper-reflective material is seen on OCT (Figure 1E).
ADD (EFEMP1, OMIM 601548) is an autosomal dominant condition characterised by drusen-like deposits at the macula, which may be in a radiating (Malattia leventinese) or honeycomb-like appearance [Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy (MIM126600)]. The drusen-like deposits in ADD are hyperautofluorescent on FAF, in contrast to drusen in AMD which are variable on FAF (39,40). Drusen-like deposits are seen as hyper-reflective thickening of the RPE-Bruch membrane complex (41), with disrupted photoreceptor integrity on OCT (Figure 1F) (42). CNV in ADD can be diagnosed with OCTA (43).
Progressive COD/CORD are characterised by cone photoreceptor degeneration, which may be followed by subsequent rod photoreceptor loss. These disorders typically present with progressive loss of central vision, colour vision disturbance and photophobia (11,44). We discuss their retinal imaging, focusing on five of the most common genotypes: GUCA1A, GUCY2D, ABCA4, PRPH2 and RPGR.
GUCA1A COD/CORD (OMIM 600364) has variable fundoscopy findings, ranging from mild RPE disturbance to extensive macular atrophy (Figure 2A). FAF is useful in investigating macular abnormalities, although both areas of hypoautofluorescence and hyperautofluorescence have correlated with retinal atrophy; an increased signal at the fovea may be seen in early disease (45-47). Cellular variability between patients harbouring the same variant is identified with AOSLO (48).
GUCY2D (OMIM 600179) variants can cause both COD, CORD, and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) (49,50). GUCY2D-associated COD/CORD is AD disease, in contrast to LCA which is recessive (51). Fundoscopy findings are varied, ranging from mild RPE changes to extensive macular atrophy, observed in older individuals (52,53). FAF imaging usually shows central hypoautofluorescence and a surrounding ring of hyperautofluorescence (Figure 2B) (53). A variable degree of EZ disruption over the fovea can be observed, as well as macular thinning (54).
PRPH2 COD/CORD (OMIM 179605) fundoscopic appearance ranges from a bull’s-eye maculopathy to macular atrophy. A characteristic speckled macular appearance on FAF is demonstrated in most of the patients (Figure 2C) (55). AOSLO imaging in p.(Arg172Trp)-associated CORD revealed increased cone spacing throughout the macula with corresponding loss of outer retinal structures on OCT (56). However, intrafamilial analysis of p.(Arg172Gln)-associated disease has shown marked variability, similar to that seen in GUCA1A-associated CORD; whilst one family member had a completely normal photoreceptor mosaic, two others had variable parafoveal cone loss (57).
ABCA4 COD/CORD (OMIM 601691), fundoscopy may initially reveal a normal fundus or mild retinal abnormalities (such as loss of foveal reflex), whereas peripheral degenerative changes occur in later disease (58). Diagnosis can therefore be delayed unless FAF or OCT imaging is undertaken (8). FAF findings include a bull’s-eye maculopathy-like appearance with yellow-white retinal flecks and increasing macular atrophy over time (59,60); whilst OCT reveals loss of outer retinal architecture at the central macula (24). Longitudinal increase in abnormal AF regions correlates with both visual function decline and abnormal cone spacing on AOSLO (61). However, cone mosaic abnormalities are known to precede abnormal psychophysical testing and FAF (25).
Most disease-causing variants in RPGR (OMIM 312610) result in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) (62), but those leading to COD/CORD are preferentially sequestered at the 3’ end of the ORF15 region (63). FAF imaging often reveals parafoveal rings of increased signal in RPGR-associated COD/CORD (Figure 2D). Unlike RP, these increase in size with disease progression and are inversely related to ERG amplitude (64,65).
The CDS are stationary cone disorders, with congenital/early-infantile onset and give rise to purely cone dysfunction, whereas the aforementioned progressive cone dystrophies are of later-onset and usually also involve rod loss over time (66). CDS are rarer than COD/CORD, with only 10 genes implicated and only five distinct phenotypes described to date; achromatopsia (ACHM), blue-cone monochromatism (BCM), oligocone trichromacy (OT), bradyopsia and Bornholm eye disease (BED). Retinal imaging of all these conditions will be described.
ACHM is the most common CDS. Disease-causing variants have been reported in CNGA3 (67,68) (OMIM600053), CNGB3 (69) (OMIM605080), GNAT2 (70,71) (OMIM139340), ATF6 (72) (OMIM605537), PDE6H (73) (OMIM601190) and PDE6C (66) (OMIM600827). It presents either at birth or early infancy, with poor VA, pendular nystagmus, photophobia, and color vision loss along all three axes (74).
Four distinct FAF phenotypes have been reported: (I) normal appearance (Figure 3A), (II) central increased signal (Figure 3B), (III) reduced signal centrally (Figure 3C) (75), and (IV) central area of decreased signal (Figure 3D), with a surrounding ring of hyperautofluorescence (76). OCT imaging can be used to grade ACHM into five grades: (I) Continuous ellipsoid zone (EZ) (Figure 3E), (II) EZ disruption (Figure 3F), (III) EZ absence (Figure 3G), (IV) presence of a hyporeflective zone (Figure 3H), and (V) outer retinal atrophy with RPE loss (Figure 3I) (77). In CNGA3 and CNGB3 genotypes, all these grades have been observed (with approximately 50% cases being grade I to III); suggesting residual cones in a good proportion of patients. The presence of residual cones is critical for targeting by gene therapy intervention (78,79). In contrast for PDE6C-ACHM and ATF6-ACHM, no patients have been reported with grades I-II. GNAT2-ACHM typically presents with grade I (80). OCT findings support that the condition in predominantly stable in the vast majority of patients (81). In contrast, PDE6C-ACHM can be slowly progressive (76). Foveal hypoplasia, preservation of inner retinal layers over the fovea, is a common OCT finding in ACHM; being present in all subjects with ATF6-ACHM (Figure 3G) (76,82), in 60–70% of previously reported patients with CNGA3- and CNGB3-ACHM (Figure 3F) (77,78,83-85), and is not present in any reported subject with GNAT2- and PDE6C-ACHM.
ACHM is by far the most well-studied condition using AOSLO imaging (23). Marked variability in the cone mosaic has been observed across patients; with no significant difference between the two most common genotypes, CNGA3 and CNGB3 (77,83,86), and the rarer GNAT2 genotype associated with the least disrupted photoreceptor mosaic (80,87,88). In a large cohort of CNGB3-ACHM, significantly decreased peak foveal cone densities and increased spacing has been reported (78). Similar findings were also reported for CNGA3-ACHM (n=38), also including a high degree of interocular symmetry, and vast intrafamilial variability (79). In ATF6- and PDE6C-associated ACHM, AOSLO studies identified few if any cellular residual structures (76,82).
Gene therapy trials for CNGA3- and CNGB3-associated ACHM are on-going.
BCM is an X-linked condition characterized by defects of L- and M-wavelength-sensitive cone function (OMIM 300821, 300822, 300824), with a fundus examination revealing a myopic but otherwise normal retina (66,89). Presenting symptoms, OCT and FAF imaging can be similar to ACHM, with a variable degree of EZ disruption (Figure 3J) (90). In AOSLO imaging, cone mosaic disruption is highly variable and may be genotype specific (23,91) The cone mosaic appears dark over the foveal centre with confocal AOSLO, with a sparse array of large bright spots, which are believed to be S-cones, surrounding it (91,92). Cone density is higher than that expected for the S-cone sub-mosaic, in keeping with remnant L-/M-cones (93-95). Overall, these AOSLO imaging studies have identified significant inter-subject variability (23). Despite female carriers being asymptomatic, confocal AOSLO has demonstrated variably reduced cone density, increased spacing, and disrupted organisation, with phenotypic variability likely relating to random X-chromosome inactivation (96).
BED (OMIM 300821, 300822) is an X-linked CDS associated with dichromacy and myopia, decreased VA, RPE thinning, and visible choroidal vessels in the posterior pole (66,97). Retinal thinning can be observed on OCT (Figure 3K) (98). AOSLO imaging shows evidence that patients with BED have a significantly disrupted cone mosaic (23,98-100).
The disease hallmark is the reduced amplitude of cone responses on ERG, with normal or near-normal color discrimination, and normal fundus appearance (66,101). On OCT imaging the outer segment length appears reduced, with decreased intensity of the EZ outside the fovea (102). The cone photoreceptor mosaic in OT has been investigated with an AO fundus camera, and in keeping with the original disease mechanism hypothesis, a decreased number (‘oligocone’) of otherwise normal appearing foveal cones (thereby permitting ‘trichromacy’) was observed (102).
RGS9/R9AP-associated retinopathy (OMIM 604067, 607814) presents from early childhood with delayed dark and light adaption (103), which can be a common feature also in OT (102), as well as other findings such as a normal fundus appearance, reduced VA, and normal color vision (104-107). OCT and FAF are usually normal (Figure 3L) (107). Unlike in OT, confocal AOSLO has revealed a normal cone photoreceptor mosaic in subjects with RGS9/R9AP-associated retinopathy (102,108). Cellular phenotyping is therefore able to differentiate between these two conditions with common clinical features—an intact photoreceptor mosaic in RGS9/R9AP-associated retinopathy, and disruption in OT (23).
LCA/EOSRD are both genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous, and characterised clinically by severe congenital/early infancy visual loss, nystagmus, amaurotic pupils and markedly reduced/absent full-field electroretinograms (109). The identified genes account for approximately 70–80%. GUCY2D, CEP290, CRB1, RDH12 and RPE65 are the most common and their imaging findings are presented below, together with TULP1, AIPL1 and NMNAT1 due to distinctive findings are also presented.
Patients with GUCY2D - LCA/EOSRD (OMIM 600179) often have relatively normal fundi, in contrast to most other LCA/EOSRD genotypes (51). There can be relatively preserved outer retinal structure on OCT in many patients (even lifelong, Figure 4A), although foveal cone outer segment abnormalities and foveal cone loss has been observed (51,110). FAF findings are variable; normal, central foveal hyperautofluorescence, and/or a perimacular ring of increased AF have been reported (Figure 4A) (51). A phase I/II gene therapy trial is on-going.
OCT studies of CEP290 - LCA/EOSRD (OMIM 610142) have shown that despite profound cone dysfunction, the foveal architecture is structurally preserved until the fourth decade of life in some patients; although with abnormal inner and outer segments in contrast to the early loss of rod photoreceptors (110,111). FAF imaging reveals a perifoveal hyperautofluorescent ring in most patients (Figure 4B), and areas of decreased signal in older patients (pigmentary retinopathy) (111). Phase I/II and Phase III gene therapy trials are on-going.
CRB1-associated disease (OMIM 604210) has nummular pigmentation, maculopathy, relative preservation of para-arteriolar RPE, intraretinal cystoid spaces, with retinal thickening and loss of lamination on OCT (Figure 4C) (112). Not all findings are present in all patients. Altered retinal lamination with increased RNFL thickness; is a rather unique finding for CRB1 compared to other LCA/EOSRD genotypes (113). CRB1 variants can be associated with a range of phenotypes and corresponding retinal imaging findings; including RP (114), Coats-like vasculopathy, and maculopathy (115).
RDH12-associated disease (OMIM 608830), which gives rise to an EOSRD phenotype is characterised by early-dense intraretinal pigment migration and maculopathy (116). OCT reveals severe loss of structure often from 10 years of age (117). Macular atrophy is a universal finding on FAF (centrally decreased signal), and with disease progression, the area of atrophy extends peripherally in a variegated watercolour-like pattern (Figure 4D), which usually corresponds to the retinal vasculature (117). Recently the phenotypic spectrum of RDH12 has been extended to include later onset and milder phenotypes (118).
RPE65-deficiency (OMIM 180069) is associated with reduced or absent AF on FAF imaging, suggesting low or absent levels of lipofuscin in the RPE (Figure 4E) (119,120). OCT studies have demonstrated relatively normal retinal thickness in some patients; with more commonly a central macular area of relatively preserved retina with a surrounding ring of thinning or more widespread retinal loss (Figure 4E) (120,121). There is an FDA- and EMA-approved gene therapy for RPE65-EOSRD.
TULP1 (OMIM 602280), AIPL1 (OMIM 604323) and NMNAT1 (OMIM 608700)-associated disease are characterised by early maculopathy. NMNAT1 maculopathy typically is severe, early onset and extensive (Figure 4F), with pigment clumping (including nummular pigmentation), both visible on FAF and OCT (122). Similar to RDH12, the phenotypic spectrum of NMNAT1 has been extended to later onset and a milder phenotype (123). In AIPL1-LCA no patient is identified in the literature with residual outer retinal structure beyond the age 4 (110,124). A gene therapy study is on-going for AIPL1-LCA.
Rod-cone dystrophies are a variable group of inherited retinal conditions, both in terms of phenotype and genotype (125), with a prevalence of 1/3,000–1/4,000 in the general population (126). Herein we present the imaging findings of RP, enhanced S-Cone syndrome (ESCS) and Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy (BCD).
RP is characterized by nyctalopia and gradual constriction of the visual field, with eventual loss of central vision, progressing to legal blindness (127,128). RP can be inherited as an autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive (AR) or X linked trait. Due to the large number of genes involved (>100 genes) and the lack of distinct/specific genotype-phenotype correlations, an overview of retinal imaging will be presented for RP and not each specific genotype.
Areas of atrophied RPE/photoreceptor cell loss have decreased AF because of the lack of lipofuscin, and are observed to a greater extent in the mid-periphery (Figure 5A). Wide-field FAF can better evaluate the full extent of peripheral atrophy in RP. Increased AF is often observed in the form of a concentric ring around the macula (65), and represents areas of dysfunction/degenerating photoreceptors (129). The hyperautofluorescent ring demarcates the area of central viable retina from the surrounding atrophic retina, and thereby is observed to constrict over time (in contrast to CORD, where it is seen to expand) (65). The ring size and width follows an exponential decline, with faster loss of area earlier in the disease (65,130). X-linked forms of the disease are usually more severe, with early involvement of the fovea and more rapid decline of vision (Figure 5B) (131).
On OCT imaging the disruption of the photoreceptor layer (EZ) starts from the periphery (rod rich region) and gradually the functioning retina constricts to the fovea (Figure 5A), till it disappears, leading to blindness (Figure 5B). Both the width of the residual EZ, as well as the area of EZ on en face analysis, are established sensitive measure of RP progression (132,133). Several studies employing AOSLO have reported a decrease in cone density and/or increased cone spacing in patients with RP (23).
Sector RP is an uncommon restricted form of RP in which only one or two retinal quadrants display clinical pathological signs (Figure 5C), and as such is associated with a good prognosis (134). A phase I/II gene therapy trials is on-going for PDE6B, MERTK, RPGR, and RLBP1.
ESCS (NR2E3, OMIM 268100) is a rare slowly progressive AR form of retinal degeneration, typically characterised by nummular pigment clumping at the level of the RPE, often most plentiful around the temporal vascular arcades (Figure 5D) (135). OCT studies may show a disturbed perimacular region (thought to be filled with S-cone photoreceptors instead of rods), with thick and bulging retina and abnormal laminar architecture (Figure 5D) (136). Other imaging findings include: torpedo-like changes, deep atrophic lesions with a small hyperpigmented rim, helicoid subretinal fibrosis, circumferential fibrotic scars in the posterior pole with a spared centre, large fibrotic scars around the optic nerve head, and yellow-white dots in areas of relatively normal-appearing retina (137,138).
BCD (CYP4V2, OMIM 608614) is an AR disease, with similar clinical symptoms to RP, associated with progressive RPE-choriocapillaris complex atrophy and retinal crystals (Figure 5E), which can disappear with disease progression, resulting in greater RPE disruption (139,140). FAF shows sharply demarcated areas of RPE loss that coincide with abrupt edges of outer retinal atrophy on OCT; with the crystals generally situated on or in, the RPE/Bruch’s complex (139).
Rod Dysfunction syndromes are a genetically diverse group of non-progressive primary dysfunctions of the rod system, most commonly causing congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) - with [Fundus Albipunctatus (FA) and Oguchi Disease] or without abnormal fundi (complete and incomplete CSNB) (141).
In contrast to FA and Oguchi disease, which are described below, cCSNB/iCSNB have no distinctive fundus appearance with normal or myopic fundi (142). Electrophysiological findings are the key to differentiate cCSNB and iCSNB; complete dysfunction of on-pathway and incomplete dysfunction of both on- and off-pathways (143). cCSNB/iCSNB have a heterogeneous genetic background including AD, AR and X-linked, with variable VA and night blindness (141). Aland Eye Disease is a form of X-linked incomplete CSNB, due to variants in CACNA1F, with common features of nystagmus, foveal hypoplasia visible on OCT, and subnormal VA (144,145). OCT in 3 patients with GRM6 variants (AR CSNB) identified selective thinning of the inner retinal layers suggesting either reduced bipolar or ganglion cell numbers or altered synaptic structure in the inner retina (146).
FA is an AR disease characterized by multiple white subretinal spots (147), throughout the retina (Figure 6A). FA has been attributed to variants in RDH5, RLBP1 and RPE65 (148). RDH5 retinopathy (also RPE65 and RLBP1, albeit to a lesser extent) leads to reduced AF signal possibly because of absence of retinoid-derived fluorophores (147). The white dots in younger subjects appear as foci of increased signal on FAF imaging (Figure 6A). On OCT imaging the associated deposits extend from Bruch’s membrane to the external limiting membrane, with a focal loss of photoreceptor outer segments (147). Development of macular atrophy/cone dysfunction can be observed in a later stage of the disease (149-151).
Oguchi (SAG, GRK1) disease is a rare form of AR CSNB having the distinguishing feature of the Mizuo-Nakamura phenomenon: diffuse green-golden fundus discolouration in the presence of light (Figure 6B) which returns to normal after prolonged dark adaption (141,152) Foveal retinal thickness can be normal on OCT (Figure 6B) (146). AOSLO identified that rods, but not cones, change intensity after dark adaptation, suggesting that the fundus changes are the result of changes within the rods as opposed to changes at a different retinal locus (146). Development of peripheral atrophy is observed in a later stage of the disease (153).
CHM (CHM, OMIM 300390) is a rare X-linked condition characterized by degeneration of the choriocapillaris, RPE and retina (Figure 7A), with males presenting in early adulthood or late childhood with nyctalopia and constricted peripheral vision (154). The skewed X-inactivation can lead to symptomatic female carriers (Figure 7B), sharing similar imaging characteristics to affected males. FAF of the disease allows direct visualization of the choroidal vessels due to loss of the photoreceptor layers and the RPE, with a residual asymmetric central area of functioning retina.
Common OCT findings include IZ attenuation, with or without intact EZ, outer retinal tubulations, interlaminar bridges and RPE thinning (155-157). AOSLO has been employed extensively, demonstrating a normal photoreceptor mosaic in asymptomatic carriers and patchy cone loss in symptomatic carriers (155). Affected males have disrupted parafoveal mosaics, with increased cone spacing. The cone spacing is more regular near the borders of atrophy (155). The largest multimodal study to date including the use of AOSLO (156), describes a relatively intact central retina with a normal or reduced cone density at 0.5 mm eccentricity; and an abrupt loss of cones at the border of RPE atrophy, as well as hyper-reflective clumps of cones in younger patients (<30 years) and bubble-like lesions within the choroid (157). IZ drop-out precedes EZ disruption and no RPE cells were visible in areas of cone loss (156). Investigators thereby proposed that CHM is primarily an RPE disorder followed by photoreceptor degeneration; recent OCTA studies have similar conclusions. A phase II/III gene therapy trial is on-going.
GA (OAT, OMIM 613349) is a rare in-born error of metabolism with retinal manifestations of progressive chorioretinal loss, beginning as small areas of peripheral RPE and choroidal atrophy, which coalesce to larger well demarcated atrophic area, visible on FAF as area of decreased AF (Figure 7C) (158). On OCT macular oedema can be seen, as well as retinal tubulations in advanced disease (158,159).
Advances in molecular genetic techniques have greatly simplified molecular diagnosis. Similarly, advances in retinal imaging and retinal function testing have improved knowledge of disease natural history, which is key to identifying treatment effects in clinical trials of novel therapies. The remaining challenge is to develop novel therapies that will slow degeneration or improve function. The ongoing and upcoming trials emphasise the increasing need for further detailed investigation of retinal structure, to better explore the natural history of the diseases, the reliability and repeatability of the different imaging methods and measurements, and moreover define inclusion criteria, prognostic indicators and endpoints.
