Acute idiopathic blind spot enlargement syndrome

Acute idiopathic blind spot enlargement syndrome (AIBSE) is a rare eye disease affecting the retina of the eye. It is basically a type of retinopathy which affects females more than males. Currently there is no treatment for this condition, but, it is usually self limiting.

Cause
Though exact etiology of AIBSE syndrome is unknown, studies shows that viral illness like influenza and vaccinations like MMR may trigger the condition.

Demographics
AIBSE syndrome affects females more than males. Higher incidence is seen in Caucasian people.

Signs and Symptoms
Enlargement of blind spot area in the visual field of the eye is the main sign and acute onset photopsia is the main symptom of AIBSE syndrome. Other symptoms include monocular scotoma and reduced light perception.

Diagnosis
Diagnostic techniques like ophthalmoscopy, visual field test, optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, multifocal electroretinography and electrophysiology may be used in diagnosing AIBSE syndrome. Subjective measurement of blind spot enlargement is done using visual field testing. In the early stages, using FFA peripapillary hyperfluorescence may be observed. Since OCT can be used to observe the microstructural alterations in the outer retina, it is the gold standard in diagnosing AIBSES.

Treatment
Currently there is no treatment for this condition, but, it is usually self limiting. Systemic administration of corticosteroids may be advised. Even if the disease is resolved, the enlarged blind spot usually does not return to normal.

History
Fletcher et al. first described AIBSE syndrome in 1988.