Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and Retina: Improved Visual Function Following Reduction of Plasma Ornithine by Diet

Abstract

In a patient with gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina, an arginine-deficient diet reduced plasma ornithine concentration 5-fold during the past 20 mo. Subjective improvement in her visual function was noted about 15 mo. after insititution of the diet. Improvements were documented in the electroretinogram, dark-adaptation and color vision. The improvement involved rod and, to a lesser extent, cone function. Reduction of plasma ornithine with a low arginine diet is apparently beneficial in this disease.