title: Central areolar choroidal dystrophy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the clinical characteristics, follow-up data and molecular genetic background in a large group of patients with central areolar choroidal dystrophy (CACD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series study.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred three patients with CACD from the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ophthalmologic examination, including color vision testing, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging, optical coherence tomography, full-field electroretinography (ERG), multifocal ERG, and electrooculography. Blood samples were obtained for DNA extraction and subsequent analysis of the peripherin/RDS gene, as well as haplotype analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical characteristics, phenotypic range, clinical follow-up data, and FAF findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age at onset of visual loss was 46 years, with subsequent gradual deterioration in visual acuity. Ninety-eight patients carried a p.Arg142Trp mutation in peripherin/RDS, whereas 5 affected members of a CACD family carried a p.Arg172Gln peripherin/RDS mutation. A remarkable variation in disease severity was observed, and nonpenetrance was seen up to the age of 64 years, in up to 21% of mutation carriers. However, most macular lesions in mutation carriers displayed a typical stage of CACD. Substantial changes were seen on FAF imaging after a mean follow-up period of 11 months. Electrophysiologic data were consistent with a central cone dystrophy. The age at onset and phenotypic characteristics of CACD show considerable overlap with atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The great majority of p.Arg142Trp-carrying CACD patients originated from the southeast region of the Netherlands, and haplotype analysis strongly suggested a common founder mutation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When caused by a p.Arg142Trp mutation in the peripherin/RDS gene, CACD causes a central cone dystrophy phenotype. This mutation, which most likely originates from a common founder in most patients, is associated with a significant degree of nonpenetrance. In the elderly patient, CACD may be confused with AMD, especially in cases with decreased penetrance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Camiel J F
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Boon
authors.forename: B Jeroen
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Klevering
authors.forename: Frans P M
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Cremers
authors.forename: Marijke N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Zonneveld-Vrieling
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Theelen
authors.forename: Anneke I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Den Hollander
authors.forename: Carel B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Hoyng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D015862:Choroid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003119:Color Perception Tests; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004585:Electrooculography; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018703:Founder Effect; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D064531:Peripherins; D010781:Photography; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D017949:Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells / Q000473:pathology; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence
chemical_list: D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C578994:PRPH protein, human; C578997:PRPH2 protein, human; D064531:Peripherins