What is a fundic exam finding with progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)?

• A. Tapetal hyperreflectivity
• B. Pale optic nerve head
• C. Blood vessel attenuation
• D. Degenerated retina

Answer: (D)

Progressive retinal atrophy causes the retina to progressively degenerate as photoreceptors die and the retinal tissue thins. On the fundus this shows up most directly as a degenerated retina—the tissue looks abnormal and atrophic as a result of the underlying degeneration. While other signs like vessel attenuation or optic disc pallor can appear as the disease progresses, the defining fundoscopic appearance is retinal degeneration itself, making “degenerated retina” the best description.