Novel therapy for transthyretin-related ocular amyloidosis: a pilot study of retinal laser photocoagulation.
OBJECTIVE
The occurrence of ocular complications associated with transthyretin-related familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy increases with time, even after liver transplantation, which leads to a halt in the progression of systemic neurologic complications. This study investigated a new strategy to prevent ocular involvements.


METHODS
Two interventional case reports.


METHODS
Two patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy who had progressive ocular manifestations.


METHODS
We used panretinal laser photocoagulation, which damages the retinal pigment epithelium, the main location for synthesis of amyloidogenic transthyretin in ocular tissues, to treat 1 eye of each patient. After laser photocoagulation, we performed general ophthalmic examinations every 3 months for 3 years.


METHODS
Fundus photography, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure.


RESULTS
Panretinal laser photocoagulation clearly prevented progression of amyloid deposition in the vitreous and on the retinal surface in both cases during 3 years of follow-up. No serious complications occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Panretinal laser photocoagulation is a safe and well-known procedure that offers a new treatment option to mitigate ocular manifestations in patients with transthyretin-related familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.
Kawaji
Takahiro
T
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan. kawag@white.plala.or.jp
Ando
Yukio
Y
Hara
Ryuhei
R
Tanihara
Hidenobu
H
D000328:Adult; D028227:Amyloid Neuropathies, Familial / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000378:metabolism*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000601:surgery*
D011228:Prealbumin