Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy: Shifting our attention to the macula

PURPOSE: Peripapillary vascular alterations have been classically described as hallmarks of Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). We recently demonstrated microvascular pathology involving the macula in patients affected with chronic LHON using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Macular vascular pathology in acute LHON has not previously been reported. METHODS: The macular superficial vasculature of an asymptomatic carrier and an affected patient with acute LHON, mitochondrial DNA mutation 3460, was assessed by OCTA. RESULTS: Similar findings of peripapillary microangiopathy and vascular telangiectasias were seen the affected patient, but in the parafoveal macula. These changes were most prominent nasally and inferiorly, corresponding to the proximal portions of the papillomacular bundle. The foveal avascular zone was markedly enlarged in the affected patient relative to the asymptomatic mother. CONCLUSIONS: These findings in acute LHON further supports the clinical utility of vascular parameters and suggest that further studies focused on macular pathology may be warranted to assess the natural history of LHON.