Blood-aqueous barrier function in a patient with choroideremia

Abstract

The purpose was to determine whether there was a breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier in a patient with choroideremia. A 27-year-old man with typical choroideremia underwent standardized ophthalmo-logical evaluation, including quantitative measurement of aqueous flare intensity, by a laser flare-cell meter. The results showed areas of atrophy of the choriocapillaries and retinal pigment epithelium in the mid-periphery and posterior pole, although not in the macula. Fluorescein angiography showed areas of loss of the choriocapillaries and retinal pigment epithelium. The fovea was spared with a surrounding zone of hy-perfluorescence. Electroretinography showed a subnormal photopic amplitude and extinguished scotopic response. Electrooculography revealed that the light peak/dark trough ratio was reduced. Goldmann perimetry showed constricted peripheral fields. Laser photometry showed an increase in the aqueous flare intensity in both eyes, as compared with normal subjects. We conclude that the function of the blood-aqueous barrier might be affected in patients with choroideremia.