Foveal cone dysfunction syndrome

J Neuroophthalmol. 1998 Mar;18(1):9-14.

Abstract

Our objective was to describe and expand the clinical spectrum of a rarely detected, previously reported photoreceptor disorder restricted to the foveal cones. Three patients with bilaterally decreased acuity and hemeralopia were examined to exclude a structural, vascular, inflammatory, or degenerative process. Each patient underwent a full neuroophthalmic examination, including full-field and focal cone electroretinogram (ERG). All three patients had normal-appearing fundi, mild dyschromatopsia, central or paracentral visual field depressions, normal full-field photopic and scotopic ERGs, and markedly reduced focal, foveal cone ERG responses. One patient had a ring scotoma and an asymptomatic family member with abnormal full-field and focal cone ERG. The syndrome of acquired foveal cone dysfunction presents as a bilateral, painless, progressive central visual loss with minimal or absent fundus changes. It eludes diagnosis until focal, foveal cone ERG is performed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Electroretinography
  • Female
  • Fovea Centralis / pathology*
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / pathology*
  • Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / physiopathology
  • Retinal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Retinal Diseases / physiopathology
  • Syndrome
  • Vision Disorders / diagnosis
  • Vision Disorders / physiopathology
  • Visual Acuity
  • Visual Fields