Abstract
1/2026
vol. 128
Case report
Difficulties in differential diagnosis between the hereditary retinitis pigmentosa and “leopard skin” retinopathy
- Klinika Okulistyki i Onkologii Okulistycznej, Katedra Okulistyki, Uniwersytet Jagielloński Collegium Medicum, Kraków, Polska
- Oddział Kliniczny Okulistyki i Onkologii Okulistycznej, Szpital Uniwersytecki w Krakowie, Polska
- Szkoła Doktorska Nauk Medycznych i Nauk o Zdrowiu, Uniwersytet Jagielloński Collegium Medicum, Kraków, Polska
- Centrum Medyczne Dietla 19, Kraków, Polska
- Klinika Okulistyki, Katedra Okulistyki, Wydział Nauk Medycznych, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach, Polska
- Oddział Okulistyki Dorosłych, Uniwersyteckie Centrum Kliniczne, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach, Polska
KLINIKA OCZNA 2026, 128, 1: 29-33
Online publish date: 2026/03/24
The aim of the study is to present the diagnostic difficulties in differentiating the hereditary form of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) from “leopard skin” retinopathy on the example of a case report of a 34-year-old woman. The patient presented typical features of hereditary RP in the examination of eye fundus and visual field testing combined with a history suggesting “leopard skin” retinopathy. RP is the most common retinal dystrophy characterized by gradual loss of photoreceptors, bone spicules pigment deposits in the middle periphery of the retina, narrowing of the retinal arteries, and pale optic disc. Clinical symptoms similar to those observed in hereditary forms of RP are also present in the so-called “leopard skin” retinopathy - acquired retinal disorder associated with the use of certain drugs, e.g. immunosuppressants, organ transplant, leukemia and other diseases. The mechanism of this disorder is still not fully understood but the influence of circulatory disturbances at the choroidal level are mainly suspected. Based on the case presented below, it can be said that distinguish between RP and leopard skin retinopathy can be difficult. Electroretinography and genetic tests are included in the differential diagnosis process.
Keywords
retinitis pigmentosa, leopard skin retinopathy, mfERG, bone spicules
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