Fine retinal crystalline deposits observed by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopic examination using infrared light
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan
- Correspondence to: Yasuo Yanagi, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan; yanagi-tky{at}umin.ac.jp
- Accepted 25 September 2002
Bietti's crystalline retinopathy is a tapetoretinal degeneration characterised by numerous tiny sparkling yellow-white spots mainly located in the deeper layer of the posterior pole retina.1 Since crystalline deposits tend to become small and decrease in number over time,2,3 the fundus appearance becomes indistinguishable from other retinal dystrophies with time.4 The advent of confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) with infrared light has enabled high sensitive examination of the deep layer of the retina.5 We studied the deep retinal abnormalities in a case with a typical Bietti's crystalline retinopathy and in another case with myopic chorioretinal atrophy throughout the posterior pole. Consequently, we detected numerous fine crystalline deposits in both cases, which were not detected with other funduscopic examinations.
Case reports
Case 1
A 52 year old man was referred to our hospital by his ophthalmologist who found an abnormal fundus appearance. There was no consanguinity. Best corrected visual acuity was 20/24 right eye and 20/50 left eye. No abnormalities were found in the anterior segment and media. Fine crystalline deposits were not detected in the corneal stroma of either eye. Funduscopic examination revealed numerous fine reflective crystalline deposits throughout the posterior pole and mid-peripheral retina of both eyes. Most of these deposits were in the deep retina and subretina but some deposits …
