Effectiveness of Ripasudil, a Rho-Associated Coiled/Coil-Containing Protein Kinase Inhibitor, in Improving Retinoschisis and Cystic-Like Foveal Cavities in Eyes with X-Linked Retinoschisis

• Published in: Case reports in ophthalmology 2020-08, Vol.11 (2), p.411-417
• Main Authors: Suimon, Hitomi, Sugimoto, Masahiko, Matsubara, Hisashi, Kondo, Mineo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Report; Case reports; Cell adhesion & migration; cystic-like foveal cavities; Edema; Glaucoma; Kinases; Mutation; Patients; Photoreceptors; Retina; retinoschisis; rho-associated coiled/coil-containing protein kinase inhibitor; ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate; x-linked retinoschisis
• ISSN: 1663-2699; 1663-2699
• DOI: 10.1159/000509261

This is the first reported case of a successful resolution of cystic-like foveal cavities in eyes with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) treated with topical ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate, a Rho-associated coiled/coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. A chart review was performed on 1 patient to collect all relevant clinical information and the optical coherence tomographic (OCT) images. A healthy 18-year-old young man presented with bilateral visual disturbances. The patient was diagnosed with XLRS from the spoke-wheel pattern around the macula, negative electroretinograms, and retinoschisis with cystic-like foveal cavities in the OCT images. Significant reductions of the retinoschisis and cystic-like cavities were observed after treatment with topical ripasudil. This is the first case of XLRS that had a resolution of cystic-like foveal cavities after topical ripasudil, a ROCK inhibitor. Since many XLRS patients have a worsening of their visual acuities due to the progressive nature of retinoschisis and cystic-like foveal cavities, topical ripasudil offers a potential treatment option.