Best Disease

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Background

Best disease, also termed vitelliform macular dystrophy, is typically an autosomal dominant disorder, which classically presents in childhood with the striking appearance of a yellow or orange yolklike lesion in the macula. Dr Franz Best, a German ophthalmologist, described the first pedigree in 1905.[1]

The lesion evolves through several stages over many years, with increasing potential for adverse visual outcome. A hallmark of the disease is a markedly abnormal electro-oculogram (EOG) in all stages of progression and in phenotypically normal carriers.[2] The adult form varies, as described and shown in the image below.



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Adult vitelliform macular dystrophy resembles Best disease, but it can be differentiated by its later age of onset, smaller lesion, and normal electro....

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). A dysfunction of the protein bestrophin results in abnormal fluid and ion transport by the RPE.[3] Lipofuscin (periodic acid-Schiff [PAS] positive) accumulates within the RPE cells and in the sub-RPE space, particularly in the foveal area. The RPE appears to have degenerative changes in some cases, and secondary loss of photoreceptor cells has been noted.[4] Breakdown of RPE/Bruchs membrane can allow choroidal neovascularization to develop as a late complication.

Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Best disease is rare.

International

Best disease is rare.

Mortality/Morbidity

Visual acuity is good in the previtelliform stage. Even with the egg-yolk appearance, visual acuity is maintained in the range of 20/20 to 20/50 (6/6 to 6/15) for many years. The breakup of the vitelliform stage, leading to the scrambled egg stage, may be accompanied by visual acuity deterioration. It is the final stages of geographic RPE atrophy with possible development of choroidal neovascular membrane that is associated with further deterioration in acuity.[5, 6] These changes usually occur in individuals older than 40 years. Various studies have shown that most individuals retain reading and driving vision in at least 1 eye into adulthood (88% have 20/40 or better vision). Only 4% of these individuals develop vision less than 20/200 in the better eye.

Race

Best disease is most common in individuals of European ancestry but can also be found in individuals of African and Hispanic ancestry.

Sex

No known gender predilection exists.

Age

Usual onset of Best disease is from 3-15 years, with an average age of 6 years. The condition often is not detected until much later in the disease because visual acuity may remain good for many years. The atrophic stage usually occurs after age 40 years.

Prognosis

Prognosis for Best disease is mixed. Some carriers will never phenotypically express the disorder. Some individuals will never have progression beyond the earliest stages of the disease and will maintain better than 20/40 vision in both eyes. In general, most people will maintain reading vision in at least 1 eye throughout life. In one study, 88% of patients retained 20/40 or better visual acuity, and only 4% of them had 20/200 or worse visual acuity in the better eye. The deterioration of vision usually is very slow and is not significant in most individuals until after age 40 years.[7, 8, 9]

Patient Education

Genetic inheritance: Provide an explanation of autosomal dominant inheritance to the patient and family members. In genetic counseling, discuss carrier state, variable penetrance and expressivity, and implications for offspring. Recommend familial evaluation.

Occupational counseling: Discuss the patient's prognosis and the possible implications on career direction.

Routine examination: Emphasize regular examinations because changes in fundus appearance over time may elucidate the eventual prognosis. Conduct evaluation for choroidal neovascularization.

Amsler grid: Teach use of this tool to identify central visual field changes.

Low vision aids: Assistive devices may be necessary if visual acuity deteriorates. Refer to a low vision specialist or organization.

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicineHealth's Eye and Vision Center. Also, see eMedicineHealth's patient education article Macular Degeneration.

History

Many individuals with Best disease initially are asymptomatic, with fundus lesions noted on examination. Visual symptoms can include decreased acuity (blurring) and metamorphopsia. These symptoms may worsen if the disease progresses to the atrophic stage.

Physical

Best disease has variable clinical expression. Some carriers have a normal examination and remain asymptomatic. Findings are usually bilateral and can be asymmetric, but unilateral presentations have been reported.[10] Hyperopia is common.[11, 7, 12, 13]

Visual acuity

Visual acuity varies by stage, as follows:

Fundus appearance

Several stages of fundus appearance are described.[14, 15] Not all individuals progress beyond the early stages.[16] Other individuals can skip from the earliest stages to an atrophic-appearing macula. Unilateral findings and multifocal lesions have been described.[17, 13]

Causes

Best disease is generally autosomal dominant with variable penetrance. Genetic linkage has mapped the disease to the long arm of chromosome 11 (11q12-q13). The gene responsible has been named bestrophin1 (BEST1). The abnormality is in the RPE, as noted on histopathology and electrophysiology testing. An autosomal recessive form of Best disease has been described.[18]

Complications

Although uncommon, choroidal neovascularization can occur following the atrophic stage, and it can be responsible for further deterioration in visual acuity. A disciform scar may result.

Plaques of white subretinal fibrous tissue can develop in conjunction with the atrophic stage. Visual acuity is often reduced to 20/100 or worse with this appearance.

Laboratory Studies

Genetic testing: This disorder has been mapped to a genetic defect in chromosome 11 (region q12-q13.1).[19, 20, 21, 9] A mutation in BEST1 is more probable when a vitelliform lesion is accompanied by a reduced Arden ratio on EOG testing.[22] Although most individuals with Best disease have an autosomal dominant defect, there are individuals with autosomal recessive inheritance.[13]

Imaging Studies

Fluorescein angiogram reveals blockage of choroidal fluorescence by the vitelliform lesion. The angiogram is otherwise normal at this stage. In the atrophic stage, a transmission defect is noted; this is shown in the image below. If a choroidal neovascular membrane develops, then a corresponding area of hyperfluorescence with leakage will be found in fluorescein or indocyanine green angiography.[6, 23]



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The fluorescein angiogram of the latter lesion reveals a transmission defect consistent with atrophic changes in the retinal pigment epithelium. This ....

Fundus photography is useful for documentation and follow-up of fundus lesions.

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) demonstrates abnormality in the region between the RPE and the inner segment/outer segment line visualized on high resolution studies. Disruption of the outer retina is noted in stages 2-4, while absence is seen in stage 5 (atrophic).[24] Enhanced depth imaging reveals choroidal thinning in advanced disease, correlating to a decline in visual acuity.[25] Cystoid macular edema and choroidal neovascularization can be identified on OCT (see image below).[26] Subretinal fluid is associated with worse visual acuity.[24]



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Spectral domain optical coherence tomography demonstrates subretinal lesion with adjacent cystoid macular edema.

Adaptive optics demonstrates disruption of photoreceptor integrity with some retention of function,[27] consistent with the retention of visual function found through the earlier stages of Best disease.

Other Tests

Electro-oculogram

The EOG, which reflects RPE function, is the most diagnostic test for evaluating vitelliform macular dystrophy. In the majority of such individuals, a severe decrease occurs in light response, reflected by an Arden (light-peak/dark-trough) ratio of 1.1-1.5. (The normal Arden ratio is 1.8.) Carriers will also have an abnormal EOG result.[28] No correlation exists between EOG result and disease stage, visual acuity, or patient age. EOG results are usually symmetric for both eyes.[29]

The EOG is very useful for distinguishing this diagnosis from its differential. The EOG result is usually normal in adult foveomacular dystrophy.

Electroretinogram

The full-field electroretinogram (ERG) result is normal in this condition. A focal ERG or multifocal ERG, concentrating on macular function, reveals abnormal function corresponding to the area of anatomical disruption.[30]

Histologic Findings

This disease primarily affects the RPE. Lipofuscin accumulates within RPE cells and in the sub-RPE space. This material stains PAS-positive. The RPE can degenerate, and macrophages containing PAS-positive material have been found to migrate into the outer retina. The choriocapillaris is normal. Choroidal neovascularization has been demonstrated.[31, 4]

Staging

See Physical.

Medical Care

No treatment exists for vitelliform macular dystrophy (Best disease). Secondary choroidal neovascularization (CNVM) can be managed with direct laser treatment or photodynamic therapy[32, 33] ; however, treatment with anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy, including intravitreal injection of bevacizumab, has been reported more recently.[34, 5] CNVMs may spontaneously resolve without treatment, but vision outcomes are better with anti-VEGF than with observation alone.[34]

Evaluation of family members is important to identify carriers and individuals with vitelliform macular dystrophy. Both genetic counseling and career counseling are provided.

Future directions for research may include gene therapy targeting BEST1.[35]

Consultations

Consult a vitreoretinal disease specialist for the initial diagnosis, electrophysiology testing, and family assessment, as well as for the long-term follow-up care of patients to monitor disease progression and choroidal neovascularization.

Consult a low vision specialist who can provide specialized equipment to assist individuals who have significant deterioration in visual acuity in both eyes.

Occupational counseling is important. Although most patients retain reading vision in at least 1 eye throughout life, visual deterioration can occur, particularly beyond age 40 years. This knowledge may influence the choice of career.

Diet

Diet is not known to influence the progression of Best disease.

Activity

Physical activity does not influence the progression of Best disease.

Long-Term Monitoring

Examination of visual acuity and fundus lesions should be performed on a schedule dictated by the current stage of the disease. If visual changes occur at any stage, then an earlier visit should be scheduled, as follows:

Patients in the atrophic stage should routinely use an Amsler grid. Changes in the central visual field should prompt an early visit to evaluate for choroidal neovascularization.

The electrophysiology test is usually only necessary once to establish the diagnosis. Initial results remain fairly stable during disease progression.

Fluorescein angiography should be performed at any visit if choroidal neovascularization is suspected.

Medication Summary

No medications are used to treat Best disease. Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation has been studied in a small clinical trial; no benefit in retinal or retinal pigment epithelial function was found.[36]

Author

Michael Altaweel, MD, FRCSC, Professor, Fellowship Director for Vitreoretinal Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Kathleen A Regan, MD, Fellow in Vitreoretinal Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul S Boeke, MD, Fellow in Vitreoretinal Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Wisconsin Health Care

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editors

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Clinical Professor of Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Steve Charles, MD, Founder and CEO of Charles Retina Institute; Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee College of Medicine

Disclosure: Received royalty and consulting fees for: Alcon Laboratories.

Chief Editor

Donny W Suh, MD, FAAP, Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Children's Hospital and Medical Center; Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Andrew W Lawton, MD, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Ochsner Health Services

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. Best F. Ubereine hereditare Maculaaffektion. Beitrage zur Vererbungslehre. Augenheilkd. 1905. 13:199.
  2. Pinckers A, Cuypers MH, Aandekerk AL. The EOG in Best's disease and dominant cystoid macular dystrophy (DCMD). Ophthalmic Genet. 1996 Sep. 17(3):103-8. [View Abstract]
  3. Hartzell HC, Qu Z, Yu K, Xiao Q, Chien LT. Molecular physiology of bestrophins: multifunctional membrane proteins linked to best disease and other retinopathies. Physiol Rev. 2008 Apr. 88(2):639-72. [View Abstract]
  4. Weingeist TA, Kobrin JL, Watzke RC. Histopathology of Best's macular dystrophy. Arch Ophthalmol. 1982 Jul. 100(7):1108-14. [View Abstract]
  5. Leu J, Schrage NF, Degenring RF. Choroidal neovascularisation secondary to Best's disease in a 13-year-old boy treated by intravitreal bevacizumab. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2007 Nov. 245(11):1723-5. [View Abstract]
  6. Miller SA, Bresnick GH, Chandra SR. Choroidal neovascular membrane in Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy. Am J Ophthalmol. 1976 Aug. 82(2):252-5. [View Abstract]
  7. Blodi CF, Stone EM. Best's vitelliform dystrophy. Ophthalmic Paediatr Genet. 1990 Mar. 11(1):49-59. [View Abstract]
  8. Mohler CW, Fine SL. Long-term evaluation of patients with Best's vitelliform dystrophy. Ophthalmology. 1981 Jul. 88(7):688-92. [View Abstract]
  9. Zhang K, Nguyen TH, Crandall A, Donoso LA. Genetic and molecular studies of macular dystrophies: recent developments. Surv Ophthalmol. 1995 Jul-Aug. 40(1):51-61. [View Abstract]
  10. Arora R, Khan K, Kasilian ML, Strauss RW, Holder GE, Robson AG, et al. Unilateral BEST1-Associated Retinopathy. Am J Ophthalmol. 2016 Sep. 169:24-32. [View Abstract]
  11. Berkley WL, Bussey FR. Heredodegeneration of the macula. Am J Ophthalmol. 1949. 32:361-5.
  12. Deutman AF. The Hereditary Dystrophies of the Posterior Pole of the Eye. Assen: Van Gorcum; 1971. 198.
  13. Kinnick TR, Mullins RF, Dev S, Leys M, Mackey DA, Kay CN, et al. Autosomal recessive vitelliform macular dystrophy in a large cohort of vitelliform macular dystrophy patients. Retina. 2011 Mar. 31(3):581-95. [View Abstract]
  14. Falls HF. The polymorphous manifestations of Best's disease (vitelliform eruptive disease of the retina). Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc. 1969. 67:265-82. [View Abstract]
  15. Krill AE, Morse PA, Potts AM, Klien BA. Hereditary vitelliruptive macular degeneration. Am J Ophthalmol. 1966 Jun. 61(6):1405-15. [View Abstract]
  16. Epstein GA, Rabb MF. Adult vitelliform macular degeneration: diagnosis and natural history. Br J Ophthalmol. 1980 Oct. 64(10):733-40. [View Abstract]
  17. Miller SA. Multifocal Best's vitelliform dystrophy. Arch Ophthalmol. 1977 Jun. 95(6):984-90. [View Abstract]
  18. Zhao L, Grob S, Corey R, Krupa M, Luo J, Du H, et al. A novel compound heterozygous mutation in the BEST1 gene causes autosomal recessive Best vitelliform macular dystrophy. Eye (Lond). 2012 Jun. 26(6):866-71. [View Abstract]
  19. Marquardt A, Stohr H, Passmore LA, Kramer F, Rivera A, Weber BH. Mutations in a novel gene, VMD2, encoding a protein of unknown properties cause juvenile-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy (Best's disease). Hum Mol Genet. 1998 Sep. 7(9):1517-25. [View Abstract]
  20. Stone EM, Nichols BE, Streb LM, Kimura AE, Sheffield VC. Genetic linkage of vitelliform macular degeneration (Best's disease) to chromosome 11q13. Nat Genet. 1992 Jul. 1(4):246-50. [View Abstract]
  21. Stohr H, Marquardt A, Rivera A, Cooper PR, Nowak NJ, Shows TB, et al. A gene map of the Best's vitelliform macular dystrophy region in chromosome 11q12-q13.1. Genome Res. 1998 Jan. 8(1):48-56. [View Abstract]
  22. Meunier I, Senechal A, Dhaenens CM, et al. Systematic screening of BEST1 and PRPH2 in juvenile and adult vitelliform macular dystrophies: a rationale for molecular analysis. Ophthalmology. 2011 Jun. 118(6):1130-6. [View Abstract]
  23. Lanzetta P, Virgili G, Menchini U. Indocyanine green angiography in vitelliform macular lesions. Ophthalmologica. 1996. 210(4):189-94. [View Abstract]
  24. Battaglia Parodi M, Iacono P, Romano F, Bandello F. SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY FEATURES IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF BEST VITELLIFORM MACULAR DYSTROPHY. Retina. 2018 May. 38 (5):1041-1046. [View Abstract]
  25. Battaglia Parodi M, Sacconi R, Iacono P, Del Turco C, Bandello F. CHOROIDAL THICKNESS IN BEST VITELLIFORM MACULAR DYSTROPHY. Retina. 2016 Apr. 36 (4):764-9. [View Abstract]
  26. Kay CN, Abramoff MD, Mullins RF, et al. Three-dimensional distribution of the vitelliform lesion, photoreceptors, and retinal pigment epithelium in the macula of patients with best vitelliform macular dystrophy. Arch Ophthalmol. 2012 Mar. 130(3):357-64. [View Abstract]
  27. Kay DB, Land ME, Cooper RF, Dubis AM, Godara P, Dubra A, et al. Outer retinal structure in best vitelliform macular dystrophy. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2013 Sep. 131(9):1207-15. [View Abstract]
  28. Deutman AF. Electro-oculography in families with vitelliform dystrophy of the fovea. Detection of the carrier state. Arch Ophthalmol. 1969 Mar. 81(3):305-16. [View Abstract]
  29. Wajima R, Chater SB, Katsumi O, Mehta MC, Hirose T. Correlating visual acuity and electrooculogram recordings in Best's disease. Ophthalmologica. 1993. 207(4):174-81. [View Abstract]
  30. Glybina IV, Frank RN. Localization of multifocal electroretinogram abnormalities to the lesion site: findings in a family with Best disease. Arch Ophthalmol. 2006 Nov. 124(11):1593-600. [View Abstract]
  31. Patrinely JR, Lewis RA, Font RL. Foveomacular vitelliform dystrophy, adult type. A clinicopathologic study including electron microscopic observations. Ophthalmology. 1985 Dec. 92(12):1712-8. [View Abstract]
  32. Ozdek S, Ozmen MC, Tufan HA, Gurelik G, Hasanreisoglu B. Photodynamic Therapy for Best Disease Complicated by Choroidal Neovascularization in Children. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2011 Oct 11. 1-6. [View Abstract]
  33. Andrade RE, Farah ME, Costa RA. Photodynamic therapy with verteporfin for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in best disease. Am J Ophthalmol. 2003 Dec. 136(6):1179-81. [View Abstract]
  34. Khan KN, Mahroo OA, Islam F, Webster AR, Moore AT, Michaelides M. FUNCTIONAL AND ANATOMICAL OUTCOMES OF CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION COMPLICATING BEST1-RELATED RETINOPATHY. Retina. 2017 Jul. 37 (7):1360-1370. [View Abstract]
  35. Yang T, Justus S, Li Y, Tsang SH. BEST1: the Best Target for Gene and Cell Therapies. Mol Ther. 2015 Dec. 23 (12):1805-9. [View Abstract]
  36. Lee TK, Clandinin MT, Hébert M, MacDonald IM. Effect of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on the macular function of patients with Best vitelliform macular dystrophy: randomized clinical trial. Can J Ophthalmol. 2010 Oct. 45(5):514-9. [View Abstract]
  37. Querques G, Regenbogen M, Quijano C, Delphin N, Soubrane G, Souied EH. High-definition optical coherence tomography features in vitelliform macular dystrophy. Am J Ophthalmol. 2008 Oct. 146(4):501-507. [View Abstract]

Adult vitelliform macular dystrophy resembles Best disease, but it can be differentiated by its later age of onset, smaller lesion, and normal electro-oculogram testing.

Classic egg-yolk appearance in the second (vitelliform) stage of vitelliform macular dystrophy. The 0.5-6 mm diameter yellow or orange lesion results from an accumulation of lipofuscin beneath and within the retinal pigment epithelium. This lesion is usually noted in individuals aged 3-15 years. Visual acuity is most often preserved in the 20/20 to 20/40 range.

The pseudohypopyon (stage 3) lesion is found in the teenage or later years. It results from a break in the retinal pigment epithelium, allowing accumulation of the yellow substance in the subretinal space with the formation of a fluid level. This fluid can shift over 60-90 minutes with positioning.

The scrambled egg appearance of stage 4 results from a deterioration of the uniform cystic lesion noted in stage 2 (egg-yolk appearance). At this point, the visual acuity can begin to worsen.

The atrophic stage (stage 5) may be accompanied by the deposition of pigment or choroidal neovascularization, both of which can lead to visual deterioration.

Autosomal-recessive bestrophinopathy: Atrophic central lesion and white subretinal deposits along the vascular arcades in a 14-year-old female with 20/70 vision and no family history of Best macular dystrophy.

The fluorescein angiogram of the latter lesion reveals a transmission defect consistent with atrophic changes in the retinal pigment epithelium. This appearance also can be found in the later stages of Best disease.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography demonstrates subretinal lesion with adjacent cystoid macular edema.

Classic egg-yolk appearance in the second (vitelliform) stage of vitelliform macular dystrophy. The 0.5-6 mm diameter yellow or orange lesion results from an accumulation of lipofuscin beneath and within the retinal pigment epithelium. This lesion is usually noted in individuals aged 3-15 years. Visual acuity is most often preserved in the 20/20 to 20/40 range.

The pseudohypopyon (stage 3) lesion is found in the teenage or later years. It results from a break in the retinal pigment epithelium, allowing accumulation of the yellow substance in the subretinal space with the formation of a fluid level. This fluid can shift over 60-90 minutes with positioning.

The atrophic stage (stage 5) may be accompanied by the deposition of pigment or choroidal neovascularization, both of which can lead to visual deterioration.

The scrambled egg appearance of stage 4 results from a deterioration of the uniform cystic lesion noted in stage 2 (egg-yolk appearance). At this point, the visual acuity can begin to worsen.

Adult vitelliform macular dystrophy resembles Best disease, but it can be differentiated by its later age of onset, smaller lesion, and normal electro-oculogram testing.

The fluorescein angiogram of the latter lesion reveals a transmission defect consistent with atrophic changes in the retinal pigment epithelium. This appearance also can be found in the later stages of Best disease.

Spectral domain optical coherence tomography demonstrates subretinal lesion with adjacent cystoid macular edema.

Autosomal-recessive bestrophinopathy: Atrophic central lesion and white subretinal deposits along the vascular arcades in a 14-year-old female with 20/70 vision and no family history of Best macular dystrophy.