A rare case of cystoid maculopathy

We describe the case of a healthy 67-year-old Caucasian female who developed a rare, reversible case of cystoid maculopathy without late leak on fluorescein angiogram. She presented initially with a 5-year history of bilateral, variable central scotomata. The visual acuities were 6/6, while foveal reflexes were abnormal. Fluorescein angiogram showed no leakage; however, optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed cystic spaces in the fovea of both eyes. The patient had been taking niacin supplements averaging 100mg daily for 30 years. Niacin was discontinued, and 7 months later, her symptoms and OCT results improved. Although niacin-induced maculopathy is uncommon, the clinician should enquire about possible niacin supplementation in any patient with cystoid macular edema in the absence of late leakage on fluorescein angiography. We describe a new reason for niacin maculopathy due to chronic low dose niacin supplementation and a slower pattern of visual recovery than that previously suggested in the literature.