Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. A retinal trypsin digest study.

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, also known as the Batten-Vogt syndrome, is clinically manifested by seizures, loss of intellect, and deterioration of vision. The retinal histopathologic and ultrastructural changes have been well-described. This report adds the findings of trypsin digest preparation of the retinae in three such patients with varying duration of this disease. Acellular retinal capillaries, or ghost vessels, were observed, and the degree of this change correlated with the duration of clinical symptoms. These changes, as well as the histopathologic abnormalities, are discussed.