Chorioretinitis is an inflammation of the choroid (thin pigmented vascular coat of the eye) and retina of the eye. It is a form of posterior uveitis . Inflammation of these layers can lead to vision-threatening complications. If only the choroid is inflamed, not the retina, the condition is termed choroiditis. ^[1] The ophthalmologist 's goal in treating these potentially blinding conditions is to eliminate the inflammation and minimize the potential risk of therapy to the patient.

Symptoms [ edit ]

Symptoms may include the presence of floating black spots , blurred vision, pain or redness in the eye, sensitivity to light, or excessive tearing. ^[2]

Causes [ edit ]

Chorioretinitis is often caused by toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus infections (mostly seen in immunodeficient subjects such as people with HIV/AIDS or on immunosuppressant drugs). ^[3] Congenital toxoplasmosis via transplacental transmission can also lead to sequelae such as chorioretinitis along with hydrocephalus and cerebral calcifications. Other possible causes of chorioretinitis are syphilis , sarcoidosis , tuberculosis , Behcet's disease , onchocerciasis , or West Nile virus . ^[4] Chorioretinitis may also occur in presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (POHS); despite its name, the relationship of POHS to Histoplasma is controversial. ^{[5] [6]}

Diagnosis [ edit ]

In general, the diagnosis of chorioretinitis is based on direct examination of active chorioretinal inflammation and/or by detection of leukocytes in the vitreous humor on ophthalmic examination. ^[7]

Treatment [ edit ]

Chorioretinitis is usually treated with a combination of corticosteroids and antibiotics . However, if there is an underlying cause such as HIV, specific therapy can be started as well.

A 2012 Cochrane Review found weak evidence suggesting that ivermectin could result in reduced chorioretinal lesions in patients with onchocercal eye disease. ^[8] More research is needed to support this finding.

See also [ edit ]

• Uveitis
• Retinitis
• Multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis

References [ edit ]

Further reading [ edit ]

• Neil J. Friedman; Peter K. Kaiser; Roberto Pineda (2009). The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary illustrated manual of ophthalmology (3rd ed.). Saunders/Elsevier. ISBN   978-1437709087 .
• Emmett T. Cunningham; Paul Riordan-Eva (2011). Vaughan & Asbury's general ophthalmology (18th ed.). McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBN   978-0071634205 .

External links [ edit ]