Retinal Abnormalities Characteristic of Inherited Renal Disease

Abstract

Many inherited renal diseases have retinal features that are helpful diagnostically. These include coloboma, drusen, atrophy and pigmentation (retinitis pigmentosa), hamartoma, vascular anomalies, and crystals. Retinal abnormalities occur because the kidney and retina share developmental pathways and structural features including basement membrane collagen IV protomer composition and their vascularity, and because both the kidney and retina are functionally dependent on ciliated cells. Diagnosis of inherited renal disease is important because of the risks of further renal and systemic complications, the implications for other family members, the predictability of the clinical course, and the possibility of treatment. Furthermore, retinal abnormalities may help explain the pathogenesis of the renal disease, and can sometimes be used to monitor its course.