Peripheral multifocal chorioretinitis: a distinct clinical entity?

The purpose of the study is to delineate the clinical features, complications, visual prognosis, and associated systemic diseases of peripheral multifocal chorioretinitis.

The study design was a retrospective study.

Of 828 patients with uveitis, 53 patients (6.4%) fulfilled all 3 of the following criteria: (1) the presence of multiple (>10), small, round, punched-out lesions in the peripheral retina; (2) the absence of central chorioretinal lesions; and (3) an associated intraocular inflammatory reaction.

The majority of patients were elderly white females with bilateral ocular involvement. The presenting symptoms consisted of vitreitis and/or iritis, papillitis, and numerous retinal punched-out lesions in the periphery. On initial examination, the complications included cystoid macular edema (CME) (48%), glaucoma (25%), and cataracts (19%), resulting in a mean visual acuity of 20/80. After more than 2 years of follow-up, CME was found in 72% and cataract in 62% of the affected eyes. Submacular neovascularization never developed. The final mean visual acuity was 20/60; this was mainly dependent on the presence of CME (eyes with CME; visual acuity was 20/80, eyes without CME; visual acuity was 20/50). In 25% of patients, an association with sarcoidosis was observed (histologic and radiologic diagnoses), and an additional 29% of patients had elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme levels.

Within the spectrum of multifocal chorioretinitis, the authors have defined a distinct clinical entity of peripheral multifocal chorioretinitis. The recognition of this clinical entity may be valuable because of its specific symptoms, prognosis, and association with sarcoidosis.