LONG-TERM MULTIMODAL IMAGING OF OCULAR FINDINGS ASSOCIATED WITH THIAMINE-RESPONSIVE MEGALOBLASTIC ANEMIA

Retin Cases Brief Rep. 2020 Summer;14(3):247-250. doi: 10.1097/ICB.0000000000000686.

Abstract

Purpose: To report on 5-year multimodal imaging of ocular findings in a patient with thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia.

Methods: Observational case report.

Results: A 20-year-old-man with a history of thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia demonstrated a symmetric bull's eye maculopathy. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography revealed disruption of the parafoveal ellipsoid zone, fundus autofluorescence demonstrated foveal hypoautofluorescence, and full-field electroretinogram testing revealed a decreased photopic and scotopic response consistent with cone-rod dystrophy. His best-corrected visual acuity remained stable over 5 years at 20/50 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left eye, and visual field testing remained stable over time.

Conclusion: Ocular manifestations in thiamine-responsive megaloblastic anemia are uncommon and variable. In this case, multimodal imaging and electroretinogram findings are consistent with cone-rod degeneration. The patient is taking daily thiamine supplementation, and visual acuity, funduscopic examination, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and autofluorescence remained stable over a 5-year period.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Megaloblastic / complications
  • Anemia, Megaloblastic / drug therapy*
  • Disease Progression
  • Electroretinography / methods
  • Fluorescein Angiography / methods
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Ophthalmoscopy
  • Retinal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Retinal Diseases / etiology
  • Thiamine / therapeutic use*
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods
  • Visual Acuity*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Thiamine