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Title

Torpedo Maculopathy - A Case Series: Insights into Basic Pathology

Purpose	Torpedo maculopathy is a benign retinal disorder whose pathophysiological origins are currently poorly understood. A number of theories have been postulated, with stable developmental anomalies of the RPE taking the forefront. This case series challenges some of these previous theories.
Methods	Case series report.
Results	Five clinical cases are outlined of patients with macular torpedo lesions, with differing clinical presentation. Optical coherence tomography imaging further characterises the fundus appearances. In all five cases this reveals very thin RPE and outer retina associated with the lesion. In a single case, the oldest patient of the group, there is the additional finding of subretinal and intraretinal fluid accumulation.
Conclusion	This case series challenges some of the previously held assertions regarding the pathophysiology of torpedo maculopathy. The contrast between the case of the oldest patient, where there is retinal fluid accumulation, and the other cases suggests that whilst initially this benign pathology might start with structurally normal retina with no fluid accumulation, dysgenetic changes in the RPE might lead to secondary accumulation of fluid over time. Whether indeed this disorder might be progressive in nature, or whether in fact it is a static, non-progressive developmental abnormality of the RPE as formerly thought, requires further elucidation.
Conflict of interest	No

Authors 1

Last name	KERWAT
Initials	D
Department	Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
City	Maidstone

Authors 2

Last name	JAMALL
Initials	O
Department	Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
City	Maidstone

Authors 3

Last name	ALMEIDA
Initials	GCM
Department	Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
City	Maidstone