Idiopathic Juxtafoveal Telangiectasis (JFT) is a condition of unknown cause where abnormalities develop in blood vessels at the center of the retina known as the fovea. The fovea is essential for sharp vision by providing the highest visual acuity within the neurosensory retina, thus having any abnormalities affecting the fovea can cause a plethora of symptoms. Patients with JFT may experience blurred vision, metamorphopsia, or visual defects in one or both eyes. There are several classifications of idiopathic (of an unknown cause) JFT, but the most common one divides JFT into Types 1, 2 and 3. Types 1 and 3 are rare with the vast majority of patients having Type 2 JFT.
JFT occurs when tiny abnormal blood vessels (telangiectasias) appear within the fovea. These blood vessels branch abnormally and may leak fluid or blood into the retina causing the symptoms associated with JFT. Oddly enough, many patients with JFT do not have telangiectasias that are detectable in their retinas, only the retinal damage left behind from these abnormal blood vessels. There are a lot of questions surrounding the causes of Type 2 JFT, but we do know several common factors that may lead to an increased chance of having it occur. We know that Type 2 JFT:
• Is seen more commonly with patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus or pre-diabetes
• Occurs in both men and women at similar rates
• Is seen more commonly after the age of 40
• Is seen more commonly affecting both eyes instead of just one
When telangiectasias leak fluid or bleed into or under the retina, the most common symptom will be vision loss. JFT may also result in damage to retinal cells in the absence of fluid or blood which is known as atrophy. The vision loss associated with JFT in many cases will unfortunately be permanent. If there is fluid or blood present in JFT, there are treatments that can prove to be useful. These treatments would usually involve an injection of an anti-VEGF medications into the vitreous gel of the eye or a focal laser treatment to the retina. JFT, without treatment or observation, can slowly worsen over time, but most patients with JFT will fortunately maintain vision in one or both eyes.
Citation(s):
The The American Society of Retina Specialists. (n.d.). Idiopathic juxtafoveal telangiectasis. Idiopathic Juxtafoveal Telangiectasis - Patients - The American Society of Retina Specialists. https://www.asrs.org/patients/retinal-diseases/31/idiopathic-juxtafoveal-telangiectasis Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board