title: Retinal changes associated with neurofibromatosis 2.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neurofibromatosis (NF) is now known to be more than one disease. NF2, formerly classified as central neurofibromatosis, is characterized by bilateral vestibular schwannomas, previously termed "acoustic neuromas", and is much less common than NF1. Lens opacities at an early age have been described in approximately 85% of NF2 patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency of retinal abnormalities in NF2 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively examined 15 consecutive patients who met the diagnostic criteria of NF2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed an epiretinal membrane in the macular or paramacular area in 12 of 15 patients, and a combined pigment epithelial and retinal hamartoma in the macula of one patient who also had an epiretinal membrane in the macula of the other eye. Additionally, 11 patients had central posterior cortical, subcapsular, or peripheral cortical lens opacities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children or young patients with epiretinal membranes, combined pigment epithelial retinal hamartoma, and lens opacities that are not the result of other ocular disorders should have a neurologic evaluation and a careful family history for NF2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Meyers
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Gutman
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Rothner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006222:Hamartoma / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D016518:Neurofibromatosis 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012160:Retina / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology