Reticular Dystrophy of the Retinal Pigment Epithelium

A laser flare-cell meter was used to examine blood-aqueous barrier function in a 57-year-old male patient who had typical reticular dystrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium with a bilateral hyperpigmented reticular pattern at the posterior pole in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography showed hypofluorescent reticular net resembling a fishing net with knots associated with a central diffuse hyperfluorescence. Dark adaptation test revealed that the final rod threshold was elevated. Laser photometry showed an increase in the aqueous flare intensity in both eyes, as compared to the results in normal subjects. Quantitative measurement of the aqueous flare intensity by a laser flare-cell meter might indicate abnormalities in the blood-aqueous barrier in patients with reticular dystrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium.