Progression of macular atrophy in pattern dystrophies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To quantify the progression of macular atrophy associated with pattern dystrophies (PD). PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective, observational study including patients with reticular PD and macular atrophy. A detailed ophthalmologic exam was performed, and progression of macular atrophy areas was evaluated on fundus autofluorescence frames using RegionFinder software, a semiautomated software embedded in Spectralis device (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany). RESULTS We included 19 eyes of 12 patients. The median follow-up was 4.5 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.7-5.5). Three eyes (16%) had choroidal neovascularization. Atrophy involved foveal area in 21% (four of 19) of cases. Decreased vision occurred in three eyes (16%). The median atrophy progression rate evaluated by RegionFinder software was 0.101 mm(2)/year (IQR: 0.054-0.257). CONCLUSION The progression of macular atrophy in PDs appears to be relatively slow. Further studies are necessary to correlate the progression of atrophy in PDs with genetic data. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2016;47:652-658.].