Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome in highly myopic eye in which fundus autofluorescence was diagnostically useful: A case report

Abstract

Rationale: Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) is characterized by multiple white dots in the posterior pole of the eye, but its diagnosis can be difficult in cases when the white dots are not visible. We report an atypical case of MEWDS that developed in pathologic myopia. Patient concern: A 42-year-old woman presented with floater and reduced and distorted vision in the right eye that she noted 3 days earlier. Diagnosis: The right eye was highly myopic at -17.0 diopters, and her decimal best-corrected visual acuity was reduced to 0.2 (20/100). Fundus examinations revealed no abnormalities other than myopic fundus changes and previous laser photocoagulation spots. However, fundus autofluorescence (FAF) showed multiple hyperfluorescent dots, and optical coherence tomography showed a high reflective lesion on the retinal pigmental epithelium at the fovea. Adjustments of the brightness and contrast of the conventional fundus images revealed white dots in the same location as the hyperfluorescent spots seen in the FAF images. We diagnosed her with MEWDS. Interventions: We treated her with systemic administration of 20 mg prednisolone and the dose of prednisolone was reduced by 5 mg every 4 weeks. Outcomes: The optical coherence tomography and FAF findings gradually normalized, and 5 months later, her decimal visual acuity was restored to 1.0 (20/20). Lessons: It was suggested that white dots typical to MEWDS may not be evident in pathologic myopia, and FAF images and the brightness and contrast adjustment of fundus images were useful in the diagnosis of atypical MEWDS.