E. Ando et al., OCULAR MANIFESTATIONS OF FAMILIAL AMYLOIDOTIC POLYNEUROPATHY TYPE-I -LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP, British journal of ophthalmology, 81(4), 1997, pp. 295-298
Aims-To obtain precise information on ocular manifestations of familia
l amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) type I, the incidence of five main
ocular manifestations-abnormal conjunctival vessels (ACV), keratoconju
nctivitis sicca (KCS), pupillary abnormality, vitreous opacity, and gl
aucoma, were compared through long term follow up. Methods-Ocular exam
inations were performed in 37 FAP type I patients (Met30) from once to
12 times over a period of 1 to 12 years and 7 months. Results-The fol
lowing incidences were observed on initial examination of each patient
with FAP: ACV in 75.5%, pupillary abnormalities in 43.2%, KCS in 40.5
%, glaucoma in 5.4%, and vitreous opacity in 5.4%. All ocular manifest
ations increased with the progression of FAP, and the incidence of ACV
reached 100% during follow up: this may be helpful in the diagnosis o
f FAP. Conclusion-Since no precise statistical ocular study on FAP wit
h long term follow up has been performed, this report may provide impo
rtant information to help elucidate the mechanism of the amyloid distr
ibuting process in the amyloid targeted organs of FAP and to provide t
he natural course of ocular manifestations of FAP.