Congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium: prevalence and ocular features in the optometric population

Abstract

Aim: In this study we aimed to determine the prevalence, features and associations of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) in the optometric population.

Method: The Optomap imaging system uses an ultra-wide-field scanning-laser ophthalmoscope to image the fundus at the choroidal and retinal levels, non-mydriatically, capturing an image of up to 200 degrees . Optomap images of 1745 consecutive patients obtained at a recent optometric examination were examined retrospectively.

Results: The prevalence of CHRPE was found to be 1.20%. CHRPE was found to be most commonly located temporally to the optic disc within the peripheral fundus. All lesions found were of previously documented shapes and sizes, and divided approximately evenly between those with and without depigmented haloes and lacunae; all were monocular. The progression of the condition could not be accurately described without follow-up. The evidence found appears to support the theory that increasing atrophy is related to flat, overall enlargement of the lesion. No symptoms or associations were found, and no abnormalities were found in the fellow eye. No evidence was found to suggest a relationship between true CHRPE and familial adenomatous polyposis coli, Gardner's or Turcot's syndromes.