title: Recurrent neuroretinitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize a distinct disorder of the optic nerve that manifests as recurrent episodes of acute, monocular disc edema and macular star formation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Description of the clinical features and laboratory findings in a group of patients with this disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Referral center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients (average age, 27 years) who experienced from two to seven attacks of neuroretinitis at intervals ranging from 1 to 10 years (average interval, 2.7 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  Treatment with corticosteroids (oral in seven patients; intravenous in two patients) and azathioprine sodium (one patient).
  
  
  METHODS
  Visual acuity, color vision, Goldmann perimetry, and fundus photography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Visual loss manifested as disc-related field defects with variable loss of acuity. Regardless of treatment, patients did not experience significant improvement of optic nerve function following each episode. Results of tests for specific inflammatory origins were normal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of disc-related field defects, poor recovery, and tendency to recur distinguish this disorder from the typical benign form of idiopathic neuroretinitis previously described.
authors.affiliation: Midwest Eye Institute, Methodist Hospital, Indiana, Indianapolis.
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Purvin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chioran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D012008:Recurrence; D012173:Retinitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000473:pathology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001379:Azathioprine