Diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis in Venezuela

To describe the clinical features and management of the largest reported series to date of patients with diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN).

Observational case series.

The charts of all patients coded as having DUSN in a vitreoretinal clinic in Caracas, Venezuela between July 1979 and August 2000 were retrospectively reviewed.

Demographic information, presenting visual acuity, clinical course, and treatment were evaluated.

We identified 82 eyes of 78 patients with DUSN. The mean age at diagnosis was 16.7 years, significantly younger than the mean age of the Venezuelan population. Sixty-five (83.3%) patients were 20 years old or younger (P<0.001 when compared with the population of Venezuela). Thirty-three (42.3%) of the patients were female. The presenting visual acuity was 20/400 or worse in 69 eyes (84.1%). The subretinal nematode was identified in 33 eyes (40.2%). All nematodes were small, approximately 400 microm in length.

In Venezuela, DUSN is seen primarily in young patients without a significant gender predilection. The vast majority of patients in this population presented with severe vision loss that was irreversible.