Abstract #0714

Decreased Retinal and Choroidal Blood Flow by MRI Is Correlated with Electroretinography in Retinitis Pigmentosa

Yi Zhang¹, Joseph Harrison², Oscar San Emeterio Nateras¹, Steven Chalfin², Timothy O. Duong¹,²

¹Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States; ²Ophthalmology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous hereditary disease characterized by photoreceptor degeneration and retinal pigment deposits. Altered ocular blood circulation has been implicated in the degenerative process and/or the pathogenesis of RP. This study demonstrates a novel MRI approach to study the circulatory changes associated with RP in unanesthetized humans. MRI indicates significantly reduced blood flow (BF) in RP retina with a strong link to its suppressed electroretinogram responses.