Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and RetinaSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and Retina
Gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina (often simply called gyrate atrophy) is an inherited disorder that is characterized by vision loss that worsens over time (progressive vision loss). People with this disorder experience a gradual deterioration of cells (atrophy) in specific regions of the eyes. The specialized light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye (retina) and a nearby tissue layer called the choroid are particularly affected. Gyrate atrophy typically occurs in both eyes.
Genetic changes that cause a disease are called pathogenic variants. Pathogenic variants in the OAT gene can cause gyrate atrophy. The OAT gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called ornithine aminotransferase (OAT). This enzyme helps break down a molecule called ornithine. Ornithine is involved in the urea cycle, which gets rid of the excess nitrogen (in the form of ammonia) that is made when proteins are broken down to provide energy.
More than 150 individuals with gyrate atrophy have been reported in the scientific literature. The condition appears to be most prevalent in Finland, where as many as 1 in 50,000 people may be affected.
Gyrate atrophy is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene in each cell must have a pathogenic variant to cause the disorder. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the altered gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition.
BayCare Clinic Eye Specialists
Ayman Elnahry is an Ophthalmologist practicing medicine in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Dr. Elnahry is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and Retina. He is also highly rated in 9 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and Retina, Papilledema, Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), and Vitrectomy. Dr. Elnahry is board certified in .
Justin Townsend is an Ophthalmologist practicing medicine in Miami, Florida. Dr. Townsend is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and Retina. He is also highly rated in 18 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Retinal Detachment, Diabetic Retinopathy, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), Vitrectomy, and Trabeculectomy. Dr. Townsend is currently accepting new patients.
Philip Rosenfeld is an Ophthalmologist practicing medicine in Miami, Florida. Dr. Rosenfeld is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Gyrate Atrophy of the Choroid and Retina. He is also highly rated in 27 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration, Geographic Atrophy, Carotid Artery Surgery, and Vitrectomy. Dr. Rosenfeld is currently accepting new patients.
Summary: The My Retina Tracker® Registry is sponsored by the Foundation Fighting Blindness and is for people affected by one of the rare inherited retinal degenerative diseases studied by the Foundation. It is a patient-initiated registry accessible via a secure on-line portal at www.MyRetinaTracker.org. Affected individuals who register are guided to create a profile that captures their perspective on the...
Published Date: June 10, 2026
Published By: National Institutes of Health