Recovery of outer retinal laminations on optical coherence tomography after treatment of cancer associated retinopathy

Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2017 Sep 1:8:11-13. doi: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2017.08.001. eCollection 2017 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: To report novel optical coherence tomography findings in a case of anti-α-enolase cancer associated retinopathy.

Observations: An elderly female presented with bilateral decreased vision and a recent diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma. Optical coherence tomography demonstrated bilateral loss of outer retinal structures and macular edema. Serum testing found antibodies against α-enolase and 82-84 kDa proteins. Outer retinal structures showed recovery, macular edema resolved and repeat anti-retinal antibody testing became negative following cancer therapy and topical difluprednate treatment.

Conclusions and importance: Cancer associated retinopathy is a paraneoplastic disease that results in damage to retinal structures through an autoimmune response. The damage is generally considered to be irreversible; however, in rare cases, such as observed here, retinal structures may demonstrate recovery after treatment.

Keywords: Cancer associated retinopathy; Optical coherence tomography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports