Unexpected Etiology in a Case of Bilateral Maculopathy

Prem Patel, Kaylie Jones, Deborah I. Friedman, David G. Birch, Rafael L. Ufret-Vincenty

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

A 74-year-old woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis using hydroxychloroquine presented with gradually progressive decreased vision in both eyes and was found to have a bilateral maculopathy. Initial genetic testing was negative, and after discussing the low likelihood of her severe findings being secondary to her relatively low hydroxychloroquine exposure, the possibility of an autoimmune retinopathy was entertained. Updated data on the genetic testing reclassified one of her mutations in HGSNAT as pathogenic. This case highlights the value of genetic testing and the need to keep a high index of suspicion even after initial negative results, given the fact that our knowledge of mutations leading to retinal degeneration is constantly evolving.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)622-628
Number of pages7
JournalCase Reports in Ophthalmology
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 9 2021

Keywords

  • Bilateral maculopathy
  • Genetic mutation
  • HGSNAT
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Plaquenil

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology

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