Unilateral acute idiopathic maculopathy
L. A. Yannuzzi, L. M. Jampol, M. F. Rabb, J. A. Sorenson, C. Beyrer and L. M. Wilcox Jr
LuEsther T. Mertz Retinal Research Laboratory, Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, New York, NY 10021.
This is a report of nine patients who experienced sudden, severe,
unilateral central vision loss following a flulike illness. Each patient
had an exudative detachment of the macula. All patients experienced a
spontaneous resolution of the acute macular manifestations with
near-complete recovery of vision. A characteristic "bull's-eye" appearance
in the macula persisted. The acute manifestations of the disorder did not
recur in any of the patients during the period of follow-up. The
constellation of findings was suggestive of an inflammatory disease of the
retinal pigment epithelium, but a specific causative agent could not be
identified. The acute clinical and angiographic features, the natural
course, and the residual pigment epithelial derangement were not consistent
with any previously described disorder.
