Best disease, also known as Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, is a rare genetic disease in which progressive macular degeneration leads to variable symptoms of impaired vision and visual acuity. The use of specialized ophthalmologic procedures, as well as genetic testing, is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Presentation
Best disease is a genetic disorder of macular degeneration that was described in the literature more than 100 years ago and is commonly termed Best vitelliform macular dystrophy [1] [2] [3]. The condition stems from mutations in genes that encode bestrophin-1, a calcium-sensitive chloride channel membrane protein in the retinal epithelium, and the clinical presentation depends on the degree of mutation penetrance [3] [4] [5]. Best disease is typically diagnosed in two age groups - in childhood and in late adolescence/early adulthood, while rare cases have extended the diagnostic window to the fifth decades of life [3] [5] [6]. The autosomal dominant mode of inheritance seen in this condition implies that a positive family history is the main risk factor [6]. Several studies have illustrated that Best disease follows a progressive clinical course starting with only minor changes in the retinal pigmented epithelium and the absence of symptoms, known as the previtelliform stage [3]. The second stage, termed vitelliform stage, is distinguished by the appearance of single or multiple well-demarcated yellow or orange "egg-yolk" macular lesions that cause symptoms of blurred vision, loss of central vision, and metamorphopsia [2] [6]. Further stages (pseudohypopyon, vitelliruptive stage, and atrophic stage) denote the progression of macular lesions that will resemble a "scrambled egg", and gradual loss of visual acuity usually ensues in the majority of cases [2] [6]. In the absence of an early diagnosis, complications such as subretinal hemorrhage and scarring may significantly affect long-term outcomes when it comes to vision [2].
Entire Body System
- Fever
They include fever, or redness and swelling where the shot was given. But the illnesses that vaccines prevent can be serious and even deadly. To learn what vaccines you should get at what age, check out our interactive tool. [healthpartners.com]
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Early localized Lyme disease (less than 30 days) Early localized Lyme disease usually presents as an acute illness characterized by: fever arthralgias myalgias headache the presence of a single, localized skin lesion known as erythema migrans (EM) Not [canada.ca]
Contact tracers were informed about the Ebola vaccination strategy including procedures for management of vaccinated contacts who developed a fever or other EVD symptoms. [journals.plos.org]
Eyes
- Scotoma
An inferior central scotoma was found in Betty’s right eye. [reviewofoptometry.com]
Keywords Retinal Pigment Epithelium Macular Degeneration Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Bilateral Condition Central Scotoma These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. [link.springer.com]
Three months later, his corrected VA was 20/20 with relative scotoma in Amsler grid, normal color vision, no scotoma in HVF 10-2 and unchanged SDOCT findings. [science.gov]
Return to the Top S Scotoma Gap or blind spot in the field of vision that may result from damage to the retina. How much a scotoma impairs sight depends mainly on whether it affects central or peripheral vision. [afb.org]
As the disease progresses, patients may experience a slow, bilateral decrease in visual acuity, central scotoma, or metamorphosia. With secondary CNV, visual decline can be rapid, however. [eyewiki.aao.org]
- Central Scotoma
Keywords Retinal Pigment Epithelium Macular Degeneration Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Bilateral Condition Central Scotoma These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. [link.springer.com]
An inferior central scotoma was found in Betty’s right eye. [reviewofoptometry.com]
As the disease progresses, patients may experience a slow, bilateral decrease in visual acuity, central scotoma, or metamorphosia. With secondary CNV, visual decline can be rapid, however. [eyewiki.aao.org]
Generally, campimetry does not reveal any findings other than, perhaps, a small relative central scotoma, which can be very difficult to determine. [pingpdf.com]
- Night Blindness
She denies any history of "night blindness", and her family history is negative for eye diseases. PMH: healthy. FH: non-contributory. EXAM Best corrected visual acuities: 20/25 OD & OS. [webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu]
blindness Cystoid macular dystrophy EEM syndrome Early-onset X-linked optic atrophy Early-onset progressive neurodegeneration-blindness-ataxia-spasticity syndrome Ectopia lentis-chorioretinal dystrophy-myopia syndrome Familial benign flecked retina Familial [se-atlas.de]
Another rare form of night blindness is stationary albipunctate degeneration also referred to as fundus albipunctata. This disorder includes stationary night blindness with white dots scattered throughout the fundus (Fig. 19c). [webvision.med.utah.edu]
It commonly begins as night blindness in childhood and gradually advances to increasing vision loss. Most people with this disorder are able to retain good vision until age 40 or 50. [afb.org]
- Visual Acuity Decreased
Affected people first have normal vision, followed by decreased central visual acuity and distorted vision (metamorphopsia). [rarediseases.info.nih.gov]
- Retinal Scar
RESULTS: An eye from a Best disease donor with a T6R mutation was found to have deposits containing lipid and glycoconjugates within the central retinal scar. These deposits may be remnants of the vitelliform lesion. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Workup
To make the diagnosis of Best disease, it is necessary to perform a comprehensive clinical workup, starting with a thorough patient history that will note the course and progression of symptoms, as well as the time at which they appeared. Having in mind the autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, the patient should be inquired about similar symptoms in siblings, parents, or grandparents. On the other hand, a detailed physical examination particularly focused on visual function and capacity, can significantly narrow the differential diagnosis. Specialized studies, however, are necessary to confirm Best disease as the underlying cause. Electrooculography (EOG) is a recommended procedure if clinical suspicion toward Best disease exists, as it reveals abnormally low light peak conductance, but the findings on an electroretinogram (ERG) are almost always within physiological limits [1] [6] [7]. EOG might be difficult to perform in children, as the procedure requires a high level of cooperation and patience [7]. Furthermore, optical coherence tomography (OCT) might be even more useful, as this non-invasive procedure provides a close view of the retina and its epithelium where pathological changes occur [3] [5]. Supplementary to ophthalmologic procedures, genetic studies should also be conducted, but their high cost and scarce availability reduce their role in general practice [6] [7].
Visual Field Test
- Central Scotoma
Keywords Retinal Pigment Epithelium Macular Degeneration Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Bilateral Condition Central Scotoma These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. [link.springer.com]
An inferior central scotoma was found in Betty’s right eye. [reviewofoptometry.com]
As the disease progresses, patients may experience a slow, bilateral decrease in visual acuity, central scotoma, or metamorphosia. With secondary CNV, visual decline can be rapid, however. [eyewiki.aao.org]
Generally, campimetry does not reveal any findings other than, perhaps, a small relative central scotoma, which can be very difficult to determine. [pingpdf.com]
Treatment
Verteporfin therapy may be a viable treatment for subfoveal neovascular lesions in Best vitelliform macular dystrophy. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Click here for explanation of Inheritance pattern Additional information about Best Disease can be found here: TREATMENT Unfortunately there is no treatment for this eye condition at the moment. [rawa.com.au]
His condition remained stable for 1½ years after treatment. [wwe.eurekamag.com]
Prognosis
In this case, although VA was reasonably good in both eyes, it is difficult to assess the prognosis of surgically excised neovascularization vs natural history, also considering that nowadays photodynamic therapy and antiangiogenetic drugs are considered [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Prognosis Prognosis for Best disease is mixed. Some carriers will never phenotypically express the disorder. [emedicine.com]
Prognosis BVMD may progress to geographic atrophy and in some cases is complicated by development of CNV. 7-9% of patients never experience vision loss, but have an aberrant EOG with normal ERG. [orpha.net]
Etiology
Etiology Vitelliform Dystrophy. S disease, in our case. Onset foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy, Best. Giuseppe Querques1, 2, Vittorio Capuano1, Nathalie Puche1 and Eric H. The Retina Eye Center. Adult onset foveomacular vitelliform. [nuclear-borders.tk]
Etiology BVMD is characterized by atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) affecting photoreceptors with impaired central visual function. [orpha.net]
Etiology Best vitelliform dystrophy is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, with diminished penetrance and a highly variable expression. [eyewiki.aao.org]
Diagnostics A battery of tests was performed to confirm the diagnosis of Best’s disease and establish a hereditary etiology in the mother and son. [reviewofoptometry.com]
One of the best uses of mfERGs is for distinguishing between retinal and central etiology of visual problems in patients with no apparent abnormalities in the ocular fundus. [webvision.med.utah.edu]
Epidemiology
Summary Epidemiology The prevalence is estimated to be between 1/5,000 and 1/67,000 in northern Sweden and Denmark respectively. Males are more affected than females (3:1). [orpha.net]
Ellie Paige, Research Associate in Epidemiology, University of Cambridge This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. [cam.ac.uk]
Diagnosis: Best Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy EPIDEMIOLOGY Autosomal Dominant Mutations in VMD2 gene Without family history, ~25% will have new sporadic genetic mutation in VMD2. [webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu]
We promote these objectives by providing reliable and accurate information about risk assessment, epidemiology, symptoms, recommended diagnosis and treatment guidelines, approved and experimental testing methods, prevention strategies, tick-control and [aldf.com]
Physical activity and lipoprotein metabolism: epidemiological evidence and clinical trials. Eur J Med Res 1997;2:259-64. [ PubMed ] 118. Halle M, Berg A, von Stein T, et al. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Pathophysiology
A vitrectomy surgery is effective to close the hole while further study is required to elucidate the pathophysiology of macular hole formation and the new vitelliform lesion in such a case. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Lastly, our Specialty Care focus covers chronic diseases with an infectious, immunologic or inflammatory-mediated pathophysiology which are treated by specialist healthcare professionals and targeted by a focused sales force, and which complement our [roche.com]
General Pathology and Pathophysiology Currently, it is believed that Best disease represents a primary disturbance of the RPE. [eyewiki.aao.org]
Pathophysiology Lesions in Best disease are restricted to the eye. No systemic associations exist. Abnormalities in the eye result from a disorder in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). [emedicine.com]
Prevention
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But the illnesses that vaccines prevent can be serious and even deadly. To learn what vaccines you should get at what age, check out our interactive tool. [healthpartners.com]
The standard of care is treatment of the underlying disorder to prevent neovascularization (retinal or subretinal), vitreous hemorrhage, or subsequent retinal detachment. However, these complications may not present until late in the disease course. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
References
- Low S, Davidson AE, Holder GE, et al. Autosomal dominant Best disease with an unusual electrooculographic light rise and risk of angle-closure glaucoma: a clinical and molecular genetic study. Mol Vis. 2011;17:2272-2282.
- Zhang Q, Small KW, Grossniklaus HE. Clinicopathologic findings in Best vitelliform macular dystrophy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2011;249(5):745-751.
- Querques G, Zerbib J, Georges A, et al. Multimodal analysis of the progression of Best vitelliform macular dystrophy. Mol Vis. 2014;20:575-592.
- Frennesson CI, Wadelius C, Nilsson SE. Best vitelliform macular dystrophy in a Swedish family: genetic analysis and a seven-year follow-up of photodynamic treatment of a young boy with choroidal neovascularization. Acta Ophthalmol. 2014;92(3):238-242.
- Kay DB, Land ME, Cooper RF, et al. Outer Retinal Structure in Best Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2013;131(9):1207-1215.
- Cohn AC, Turnbull C, Ruddle JB, et al. Best’s macular dystrophy in Australia: phenotypic profile and identification of novel BEST1 mutations. Eye (Lond). 2011;25(2):208-217.
- Ferrara DC, Costa RA, Tsang S, Calucci D, Jorge R, Freund KB. Multimodal fundus imaging in Best vitelliform macular dystrophy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2010;248(10):1377-1386.