Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum
- Autosomal recessive disorder causing degeneration of elastic tissue, especially in skin, blood vessels, eyes
- Causes tears in Bruch’s membrane, which lies between retina and choroid
- New blood vessels sometimes develop under fovea, bleed, and blind
- Refer all patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum for periodic ophthalmologic examination to detect new blood vessels
- Warn patients to consult ophthalmologist immediately should they notice sudden blurring or warping of vision
- Advise wearing protective glasses and avoiding contact sports because trauma can worsen condition
- Treatments used in wet age-related macular degeneration often prevent severe vision loss
