Epiretinal membranes and cystoid macular edema in gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina.

A 26-year-old woman with gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina and hyperornithinemia lost central visual acuity because of cystoid macular edema associated with epiretinal membrane formation. Dietary manipulation over a 5-month interval reduced the plasma ornithine levels 37% but did not halt the progression of the gyrate atrophy nor influence the cystoid edema or visual acuity.