Choroidal involvement with Mycobacterium intracellulare

Atypical mycobacteria are becoming increasingly more important as causative organisms of disease in various parts of the body. The eye, however, is infrequently involved. Mycobacterial infection in the eye is more frequent in the anterior segment than the posterior segment. Dissemination of the organism, necessary for retinal or choroidal involvement, is usually seen in a very debilitated host. A case report is presented of choroiditis presumably caused by Mycobacterium intracellulare in an asymptomatic host. Treatment of disease caused by the atypical mycobacteria to date has been difficult.