title: X-linked recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Clinical characteristics of carriers.
abstract: We evaluated 46 carriers of X-linked recessive retinitis pigmentosa for the prevalence of fundus changes, refractive errors, central visual impairment, and electroretinographic abnormalities. Of the 46 carriers, 40 (87%) could be identified by characteristic fundus changes and 37 (86%) of 43 by reductions in electroretinographic amplitude. Interestingly, 36 carriers (78%) had a refractive cylindrical correction of +1.50 diopters (D) or greater in at least one eye, while 25 (54%) had a best corrected visual acuity of 20/30 or less in at least one eye. Fundus examination coupled with an electroretinographic recording was diagnostic of the carrier state in virtually all 46 patients. The presence of a refractive cylinder of +1.50 D or greater should appreciably increase the index of suspicion when assessing the possibility of the carrier state in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014960:X Chromosome