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Saul N. Rajak, MRCOphth; Moin D. Mohamed, PhD; Lucia Pelosini, MRCOphth, MRCSEd

Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(7):863-868.

Objective  To describe new features and ocular coherence tomographic scans of individuals with West African crystalline maculopathy (WACM).

Design  Prospective observational case series.

Participants  All 14 patients with WACM identified in the medical retina clinic during a 6-month period.

Methods  Full ophthalmic examination and high-resolution ocular coherence tomographic imaging and fluorescein angiography where indicated.

Main Outcome Measures  Ethnicity and dietary history of individuals, location of crystals, and associated retinal comorbidity.

Results  Patients originated from several West African countries. Two patients had unilateral WACM. The crystals were yellow-green in color, birefringent, and located in the layer of Henle of the fovea. Coexistent retinal pathology was present in all patients.

Conclusions  Several new features of the condition are described. Breakdown of the blood retinal barrier may play a role in the formation of the crystals.

Author Affiliations: St Thomas' Hospital, London, England.

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