Recurrent neuroretinitis
V. A. Purvin and G. Chioran
Midwest Eye Institute, Methodist Hospital, Indiana, Indianapolis.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize a distinct disorder of the optic nerve that
manifests as recurrent episodes of acute, monocular disc edema and macular
star formation. DESIGN: Description of the clinical features and laboratory
findings in a group of patients with this disorder. SETTING: Referral
center. PATIENTS: Seven patients (average age, 27 years) who experienced
from two to seven attacks of neuroretinitis at intervals ranging from 1 to
10 years (average interval, 2.7 years). INTERVENTIONS: Treatment with
corticosteroids (oral in seven patients; intravenous in two patients) and
azathioprine sodium (one patient). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity,
color vision, Goldmann perimetry, and fundus photography. RESULTS: Visual
loss manifested as disc-related field defects with variable loss of acuity.
Regardless of treatment, patients did not experience significant
improvement of optic nerve function following each episode. Results of
tests for specific inflammatory origins were normal. CONCLUSIONS: The
presence of disc-related field defects, poor recovery, and tendency to
recur distinguish this disorder from the typical benign form of idiopathic
neuroretinitis previously described.
