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Acute zonal occult outer retinopathy: a long-term follow-up study.
J Donald Gass1, Anita Agarwal, Ingrid U Scott
1Vanderbilt Eye Center, Vanderbilt University Medical School, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-8808, USA. donald.gass@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|September 5, 2002
Summary
Acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) often affects both eyes and can lead to persistent visual field defects. Early electroretinography is crucial for diagnosing this condition, though treatment efficacy remains uncertain.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Diseases
- Visual Electrophysiology
Background:
- Acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR) is a rare retinal disorder.
- Its long-term progression and visual outcomes are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a long-term follow-up of patients diagnosed with AZOOR.
- To analyze the clinical course, visual field changes, and final visual acuity.
Main Methods:
- Observational consecutive case series.
- Prospective and retrospective review of medical records for 51 AZOOR patients.
- Median follow-up duration of 96 months.
Main Results:
- AZOOR frequently involved both eyes (39% at presentation, 76% at follow-up).
- Visual field loss stabilized in most patients (72%), but recovery was infrequent.
- Electroretinography showed depressed amplitudes in affected eyes; 18% became legally blind.
Conclusions:
- AZOOR involves episodes of retinal dysfunction, often sparing central vision but with limited visual field recovery.
- Early diagnosis via electroretinography is vital.
- The etiology and optimal treatment for AZOOR remain unknown.