PubMed ID: 28145975
Author(s): Langlo CS, Erker LR, Parker M, Patterson EJ, Higgins BP, Summerfelt P, Razeen MM, Collison FT, Fishman GA, Kay CN, Zhang J, Weleber RG, Yang P, Pennesi ME, Lam BL, Chulay JD, Dubra A, Hauswirth WW, Wilson DJ, Carroll J; ACHM-001 study group. Repeatability and longitudinal assessment of foveal cone structure in CNGB3-associated achromatopsia. Retina. 2017 Oct;37(10):1956-1966. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000001434. PMID 28145975
Journal: Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.), Volume 37, Issue 10, Oct 2017
PURPOSE Congenital achromatopsia is an autosomal recessive disease causing substantial reduction or complete absence of cone function. Although believed to be a relatively stationary disorder, questions remain regarding the stability of cone structure over time. In this study, the authors sought to assess the repeatability of and examine longitudinal changes in measurements of central cone structure in patients with achromatopsia.
METHODS Forty-one subjects with CNGB3-associated achromatopsia were imaged over a period of between 6 and 26 months using optical coherence tomography and adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy. Outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness, ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption, and peak foveal cone density were assessed.
RESULTS ONL thickness increased slightly compared with baseline (0.184 μm/month, P = 0.02). The EZ grade remained unchanged for 34/41 subjects. Peak foveal cone density did not significantly change over time (mean change 1% per 6 months, P = 0.126).
CONCLUSION Foveal cone structure showed little or no change in this group of subjects with CNGB3-associated achromatopsia. Over the time scales investigated (6-26 months), achromatopsia seems to be a structurally stable condition, although longer-term follow-up is needed. These data will be useful in assessing foveal cone structure after therapeutic intervention.