Comments and Conclusions (cont’d)

  • Similar OCT findings to the RP patients presented in this issue, with the PIL only being present under the fovea, have been shown in two separate research studies.9r12
  • One study that separated RP patients into 3 groups based on the presence of the PIL in OCT sections (Type l: NO PIL, Type 2: PIL present under fovea 2 mm, Type 3: PIL present under fovea 2mm) was unable to conclude whether the difference in appearance Of the PIL was due to disease progression or the phenotypic variation.9
  • In a study of RP patients with a similar hyper/hypoautofluorescent “Bull’s eye” or perifoveal ring of hyperautofluorescence shown in Case I, the transitional junction Of the hyperautofluorescent ring correlated to a loss of the PIL in the OCT section.5 The study suggested that the attenuation of the PIL might be an early indication of retinal cell apoptosis in RP.5
  • There is currently no treatment for RP, but studies have shown that a diet high in vitamin A palmitate and omega-3-rich fish can slow the progression in many cases.l