Considering the different tissue-specific disorders caused by the different ELOVL4 mutations, it is possible that mutations in ELOVL4 that do not substantially affect VLC-PUFA synthesis may not impact the levels of VLC-PUFA in the retina to an extent that would cause retinal degeneration as seen in patients with SCA34 who have no reported macular degeneration pathology. Here, ELOVL4 is linked to retinal degeneration.