A Glimpse Into Rarity: A Phenomenal Case of Autoimmune Retinopathy in a Young Woman

Autoimmune retinopathy (AIR) is a rare retinal disorder that causes a gradual loss of vision due to autoantibodies targeting retinal antigens, leading to photoreceptor degeneration. Early diagnosis and timely intervention are critical for preserving visual function in affected patients. Over the course of a year, a 30-year-old woman had bilateral, abrupt, painless, progressive diminution of vision, nyctalopia, photopsia, and a restricted peripheral field of vision. No family history of night blindness was found. A diagnosis of AIR was suggested by the clinical examination, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), negative electroretinogram (ERG), and the short duration and quick progression of symptoms. A differential diagnosis of photoreceptor dystrophy was considered. Immunosuppressants and oral corticosteroids were started as treatment. Within a month of follow-up, the patient's vision had significantly improved. Despite the poor guarded prognosis of AIR, a favorable visual outcome was achieved through early detection and treatment with immunosuppressants.