Wagner vitreoretinopathy (WGVRP) is a rare vitreoretinal degeneration inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, first described in a large Swiss pedigree (Wagner, 1938) and subsequently identified in other families. Penetrance in Wagner syndrome is complete, and the disease manifests in childhood or adolescence with a progressive course. Affected individuals usually present with an 'empty' vitreous cavity with fibrillary condensation or avascular strands and veils. Additional features, which are variable and age-dependent, include chorioretinal atrophy with loss of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), lattice degeneration of the retina, complicated cataracts, mild myopia, and peripheral traction retinal detachment. Rod and cone electroretinography shows reduced b-wave amplitude and correlates with severe chorioretinal pathology. It is believed that liquefaction of vitreous initiates a degenerative cascade that results in the complex eye phenotype of Wagner syndrome (summary by Kloeckener-Gruissem et al., 2006). Patients with additional ocular features such as progressive nyctalopia (night blindness), visual field constriction, and chorioretinal atrophy, with loss of RPE and choriocapillaries on fluorescein angiography and rod-cone abnormalities on electroretinography, were initially believed to have a distinct clinical entity, which was designated 'erosive vitreoretinopathy' (ERVR). Extraocular abnormalities are not present in patients diagnosed with Wagner or erosive vitreoretinopathy (summary by Mukhopadhyay et al., 2006).

The appearance of yellow/white crystalline-like (hence the name) spots in the retina and thickening of the peripheral part of the vitreous.