HEREDITARY CENTRAL RETINAL ANGIOPATHY

Abstract

A family, with three members affected by a central retinal angiopathy, is reported. The fundus changes consisted of tortuous arterioles, ectatic capillaries, microaneurysms, small retinal haemorrhages and tiny white dots. The changes were demonstrated by colour fluorescein angiography. The retinal changes simulate those described in hereditary haemorrhagic teleangiectasia (Rendu‐Osler‐Weber's disease) and in familial retinal arteriolar tortuosity, both showing dominant inheritance. Although none of the three patients had other stigmata of hereditary haemorrhagic teleangiectasia, it is proposed to consider the presently reported cases, as well as those reported under the diagnosis of familial arteriolar tortuosity, as a localized manifestation of a disorder which in other families may give the clinical picture of Rendu‐Osler‐Weber's disease.