A case of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome (TINU syndrome) in an elderly woman is reported. The present case demonstrates that this entity originally observed in children, and more recently in adults, may also occur in the elderly. The aetiology and treatment are briefly discussed.

The characteristic morphology of a not intentionally stimulated hyalocyte is described, using TEM and perfusion fixation. The best results were obtained by retrograde perfusion via the abdominal aorta with a glutaraldehyde- and formaldehyde-containing fixative. The cells, situated in the cortical area of the vitreous body, show mostly an indented nucleus, primary and secondary lysosomes, mitochondria, cisterna, clusters of free ribosomes and a Golgi apparatus. Bristle-coated micropinocytotic vesicles can also be distinguished and in some cells a centriole is visible. Sometimes the cells show many cytoplasmic protuberances. Morphologically the majority of those cells can be considered as resting macrophages.

A 40-year-old Caucasian female was first seen 20 years ago for a routine ocular screening in relation to hydroxychloroquine treatment for systemic lupus erythematosus. Her daily dose was 600 mg (or 12 mg/kg of body weight/day) of hydroxychloroquine. Three years later, she complained of mild visual loss in the right eye. Her best-corrected visual acuity was 0.9 in the right (RE) and 1.0 in the left eye (LE). In addition, she had a central scotoma (RE > LE) on automated visual field analysis (Humphrey central 30 degrees ). On fundoscopy and fluorescein angiography, the first signs of a bilateral bull's eye maculopathy were detected. A decreased Arden ratio on EOG (<1.50) was found with an accompanying decreased amplitude of the scotopic b-wave on full-field electroretinography in both eyes. Consequently, the treatment was immediately stopped. During the following years, the patient was retested regularly. After more than 18 years after cessation of the drug, most tests showed a further deterioration, including best-corrected visual acuity (RE: 0.1; LE: 0.7). On visual field testing, a progressive evolution to a total and absolute central scotoma in the RE (central 10 degrees ) and an annular scotoma in the LE became apparent. In contrast, a partial recovery of the Arden ratio of the EOG to 1.8 in both eyes was seen. In addition, a partial recovery of the scotopic b-wave full-field ERG was noted 19 years after cessation of treatment. At retest visits respectively 18, 19 and 20 years after cessation of hydroxychloroquine, a multifocal electroretinogram was performed in combination with colour vision tests and contrast sensitivity measurements.

A 19-year-old woman presented with subacute encephalopathy and subsequently developed hearing loss and occlusions of branches of the central retinal artery. The triad of microangiopathy of the brain, retina and cochlea is typical for Susac syndrome. The etiology of this syndrome is still unknown, but the prognosis is good in most cases. Spontaneous resolution usually occurs, but early treatment minimizes the risk of sequelae. Multifocal ERG may be useful to assess subclinical retinal dysfunction after recovery of subjective symptoms of BRAO in Susac syndrome.

A family with hereditary optic neuropathy was investigated. Visual acuity, Goldmann perimetry, colour vision test, fundoscopy and electrophysiological examination (flash and pattern ERG and VER) were performed. The pattern of inheritance and the results of all these tests are discussed in this article.