Case Report: Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium Maculopathy Originally Diagnosed as Pattern Macular Dystrophy

Abstract

Significance: Pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) maculopathy is a clinical entity characterized by a pigmentary maculopathy in the setting of chronic exposure to PPS. Pentosan polysulfate sodium is indicated for discomfort related to interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. Given a reported interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome prevalence up to 2%, recognition is critical to mitigate visual sequelae.

Purpose: We present an observational case report demonstrating typical findings of PPS maculopathy in a patient originally diagnosed with a pattern macular dystrophy. We demonstrate the importance of medical history, medication profile review, and multimodal imaging in the diagnosis and management. The patient provided written informed consent for medical information and images to be published.

Case report: A 55-year-old White woman presented with a painless, bilateral loss of vision and bilateral pigmentary maculopathy that was initially diagnosed as pattern macular dystrophy. Detailed review of medical history, medication profile, and subsequent studies, including optical coherence tomography, near-infrared reflectance imaging, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, and genetic studies, ultimately led to the diagnosis of PPS maculopathy. Pentosan polysulfate sodium was discontinued, and ongoing surveillance with multimodal imaging was encouraged.

Conclusions: Because toxic maculopathies are an uncommon diagnosis, screening and recognition of PPS maculopathy are critical in the primary eye care setting. Discontinuation of the insulting agent may be necessary to prevent potentially severe and irreversible vision loss in the at-risk population.