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Severe visual loss associated with retinal telangiectasis and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

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Abstract

Facioscapulohumeral (FSH) muscular dystrophy is known to be associated with retinal telangiectasis. However, there are only few reports of severe visual loss due to exudative complications, so the risk to vision has not been established. Because of the possible therapeutic implications, we have described two cases of young girls who developed FSH muscular dystrophy and exudative retinal detachment due to telángiectasis. In the first patient, the severity of the disease precluded visual recovery despite extensive photo- and cryotherapy. In the other, visual acuity in both affected eyes was retained after treatment. Fundus examinations in young children at risk of having the gene for FSH muscular dystrophy may be justified so that retinal vascular disease can be detected before it becomes untreatable.

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Supported by “Herman Wacker Stiftung für Ablatioforschung”

Correspondence to: D. Pauleikhoff

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Pauleikhoff, D., Bornfeld, N., Bird, A.C. et al. Severe visual loss associated with retinal telangiectasis and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 230, 362–365 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00165946

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00165946

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