The use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in the retreatment of cystic macular lesions in retinitis pigmentosa and X-linked retinoschisis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if carbonic anhydrase inhibitors can restore their efficacy after a period of discontinued use in patients with cystic foveal lesions who demonstrated subsequent worsening in the extent of their foveal cysts after initially exhibiting a favorable response to treatment.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review was conducted on all patients with retinitis pigmentosa or X-linked retinoschisis who were either currently on treatment or had been treated with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for cystic macular lesions. A total of three patients were included in the study.

RESULTS

All three patients exhibited a recurrence of their cystic macular lesions while on treatment with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. After discontinuing treatment for a period of 1 month to 6 months, all patients showed a favorable response to retreatment as monitored with optical coherence tomography scans.

CONCLUSION

The present study shows that patients who show signs of recurring macular cysts while still on treatment can have a favorable response when treatment is reinstated after a period of discontinued use of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.