Overview
Bietti crystalline dystrophy (also called Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy or BCD) is a rare inherited eye disease that slowly damages the retina — the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Tiny shiny crystal deposits build up in the retina and sometimes in the outer edge of the cornea (the clear front part of the eye). Over time, the cells in the retina break down, making it harder and harder to see. The disease is named after the Italian doctor G.B. Bietti, who first described it in 1937. The most common symptoms are difficulty seeing in dim light or at night (night blindness), loss of side (peripheral) vision, and gradually worsening central vision. Most people notice their first symptoms in their 20s or 30s, though the timing can vary. The disease progresses slowly over decades and can eventually lead to significant vision loss or legal blindness. Right now there is no cure for Bietti crystalline dystrophy, and no FDA-approved treatment exists to stop or reverse the damage. Care focuses on monitoring vision changes, using low-vision aids, and protecting the eyes. However, researchers are actively studying gene therapy and other approaches, which gives real hope for future treatments.
Key symptoms:
Difficulty seeing in low light or at night (night blindness)Loss of side (peripheral) visionBlurry or reduced central vision over timeShiny crystal deposits visible in the retina on eye examSensitivity to bright light (photophobia)Colors may appear less vividDifficulty reading or recognizing faces as disease progressesGradual shrinking of the visual fieldPossible crystal deposits at the edge of the cornea (visible to an eye doctor)
Clinical phenotype terms (19)— hover any for plain English
Autosomal recessive
Passed on when both parents carry the same gene change; often skips generations
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsChigenovo Co., Ltd — NA
Gang Chen — PHASE4
Biocad — PHASE1
Chigenovo Co., Ltd — PHASE3
Shanghai Vitalgen BioPharma Co., Ltd. — PHASE3
NGGT (Suzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. — PHASE1, PHASE2
Shanghai Vitalgen BioPharma Co., Ltd. — PHASE1
Chigenovo Co., Ltd — PHASE1, PHASE2
Xiamen Ophthalmology Center Affiliated to Xiamen University — EARLY_PHASE1
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Bietti crystalline dystrophy.
6 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Bietti crystalline dystrophy.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Bietti crystalline dystrophy.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Bietti crystalline dystrophy
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: A Study of Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Immunogenicity of BCD-057 100 mg/mL, BCD-057 50 mg/mL, and Humira 100 mg/mL in Healthy Subjects
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bietti crystalline dystrophy
New recruiting trial: Efficacy and Safety of ZVS101e in Patients With Bietti 's Crystalline Dystrophy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Bietti crystalline dystrophy
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How quickly do you expect my vision to change, and what signs should I watch for?,Should I have genetic testing, and should my family members be tested too?,Are there any clinical trials for gene therapy or other treatments that I might qualify for?,What low-vision aids or rehabilitation services do you recommend for me right now?,How often should I have eye exams, and what tests will you use to track the disease?,Are there any lifestyle changes — like diet or sun protection — that might help protect my vision?,Where can I find support groups or patient communities for people with Bietti crystalline dystrophy?
Common questions about Bietti crystalline dystrophy
What is Bietti crystalline dystrophy?
Bietti crystalline dystrophy (also called Bietti crystalline corneoretinal dystrophy or BCD) is a rare inherited eye disease that slowly damages the retina — the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Tiny shiny crystal deposits build up in the retina and sometimes in the outer edge of the cornea (the clear front part of the eye). Over time, the cells in the retina break down, making it harder and harder to see. The disease is named after the Italian doctor G.B. Bietti, who first described it in 1937. The most common symptoms are difficulty seeing in dim light or at night (night blindn
How is Bietti crystalline dystrophy inherited?
Bietti crystalline dystrophy follows a autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Bietti crystalline dystrophy typically begin?
Typical onset of Bietti crystalline dystrophy is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Bietti crystalline dystrophy?
Yes — 6 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Bietti crystalline dystrophy on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Bietti crystalline dystrophy?
5 specialists and care centers treating Bietti crystalline dystrophy are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.