MULTIMODAL IMAGING OF A NOVEL MFSD8/CLN7 MUTATION ASSOCIATED WITH NONSYNDROMIC SYMMETRIC ADULT-ONSET MACULAR DYSTROPHY.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to report multimodal imaging features of a novel MFSD8/CLN7 pathogenic variant associated with bilateral and symmetric nonsyndromic macular dystrophy.

Methods: A 63-year-old female patient presented complaining of a gradual subjective decline in VA in both eyes over the previous months. This patient underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological assessment, including multimodal retinal imaging and electrophysiological testing. Given suspicion for a hereditary retinal disorder, genetic testing was pursued.

Results: The eye examination revealed blunted foveal reflexes and no lesions or abnormalities in the equatorial or anterior retinal periphery. Multimodal imaging showed a bilateral and almost symmetrical subfoveal interruption of the outer retinal layers, including an optical gap. Genetic testing revealed that the MFSD8/CLN7 gene exhibited a homozygous variant, specifically p.Ala484Val (c.1451C>T). This variant was identified as the likely causative factor for the condition.

Conclusion: In this study, the authors describe the clinical findings of a previously unreported homozygous variant in the MFSD8/CLN7 gene, resulting in a nonsyndromic form of bilateral central macular dystrophy.