Crystalline Retinopathies

Abstract

Many types of crystalline retinopathies have been described, associated with a myriad of medical conditions ranging from chronic retinal conditions to inherited systemic diseases. This comprehensive review summarizes the different types of crystalline retinopathies, including their clinical presentations, diagnostic criteria, pathology, and treatment options.

A case of African crystalline maculopathy

“…The patient was negative for diabetes and renal impairment, eliminating hyperoxaluria, cystinosis, methoxyfluorane, and Sjogren-Larsson syndrome as possible causes. 1 Retinal detachment and telangiectasis were absent on ophthalmoscopic and angiographic examination. Retinal pigment epithelial abnormalities characteristic of tamoxifen retinopathy, Bietti dystrophy, and cystinosis were also notably absent.…”

“…1 As the authors suggest, this is a rare event and normally occurs following direct or indirect trauma. We were curious about their comments regarding the contralateral unaffected eye.…”

“…1 There was no history of tamoxifen, canthaxanthine, or nitrofurantoin use, methoxyfluorane exposure or intravenous drug abuse. The patient was negative for diabetes and renal impairment, eliminating hyperoxaluria, cystinosis, methoxyfluorane, and Sjogren-Larsson syndrome as possible causes.…”

“…Retinal pigment epithelial abnormalities characteristic of tamoxifen retinopathy, Bietti dystrophy, and cystinosis were also notably absent. 1 …”

“…Subsequent reports of patients with similar clinical findings have expanded to other West African countries, including Liberia, Cameroon, Ghana, and Sierra Leone. 1,3,4 A recent report showed the crystals to be in Henle's layer using optical coherence tomography. 3 The pathogenesis of these crystals is unknown, although retinal vascular disease, with breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier, has been suggested as a possible cause.…”