Clinical features and possible pathogenesis of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome with different retinal diseases and events:a narrative review

●Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome(MEWDS)is a rare fundus disease,characterized by acute vision loss and visual field defects.Many previous studies have explained the possible pathogenesis and clinical features of primary MEWDS.However,as the number of reported cases increases,secondary MEWDS occurs in other related retinal diseases and injuries,exhibiting some special characteristics.The associated retinal diseases include multifocal choroiditis/punctate inner choroidopathy(MFC/PIC),acute zonal occult outer retinopathy,best vitelliform macular dystrophy,pseudoxanthoma elasticum,and ocular toxoplasmosis.The related retinal injury is laser photocoagulation,surgery,and trauma.Although primary MEWDS often have a self-limiting course,secondary MEWDS may require treatment in some cases,according to the severity of concomitant diseases and complications.Notably,MEWDS secondary to MFC/PIC that is prone to forming choroidal neovascularization and focal choroidal excavation,needs positive treatment with corticosteroids.The possible underlying pathogenesis of secondary MEWDS is the exposure of choroidal antigen after the disruption of Bruch’s membrane.The MEWDS-related features in secondary MEWDS are still evanescent under most circumstances.Its prognosis and treatment depend on the severity of complications.Current studies propose that the etiology is associated with immune factors,including viral infection,inflammation in choroid and Bruch’s membrane,and antigen exposure caused by retinal and/or choroidal insults.More pathogenic studies should be conducted in the future.Accurate diagnosis for secondary MEWDS could benefit patients in aspects of management and prognosis.

Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography dynamic changes and steroid response in multiple evanescent white dot syndrome

Dear Editor,Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome （MEWDS） was first described in 1984 as a rare, acute, unilateral,multifocal retinochoroidal disorder, typically affecting young myopic women. Previous studies with fluorescein angiography （FA） and electrophysiology suggested that MEWDS to be a disease in the retinal pigment epithelium （RPE） or outer retina, while recent studies with spectral- domain optical coherence tomography （SD-OCT） suggested it may be an outer retinal disease due to observation of hyperreflective material in outer retina and subtle disruptionsof the ellipsoid zone without RPE disruption.

Choroidal neovascularization as the initial manifestation of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome

To report the case of a patient who presented with idiopathic choroidal neovascularization(CNV)as the first sign of multiple evanescent white dot syndrome(MEWDS).A 25-year-old woman presented with recent onset of decreased vision and metamorphopsia in the right eye.The results of fundoscopic examination,fluorescein angiography,and optical coherence tomography(OCT) were compatible with a diagnosis of idiopathic CNV,which was treated with one intravitreal injection of bevacizumab.Five years later,the patient returned complaining of photopsia and decreased vision in the same eye.The fundoscopic examination showed typical signs of MEWDS.After 3 months,recurrence of CNV was observed in the same eye.In conclusion,idiopathic CNV might be the only manifestation of a subclinical occurrence of MEWDS.In this case,it was followed by a recurrence of MEWDS and subsequent reactivation of CNV.