Unifocal helioid choroiditis.
OBJECTIVE
To report a previously undescribed clinical entity involving an unusual inflammatory lesion of the choroid.


METHODS
Six young, healthy patients experienced acute unilateral visual loss secondary to unifocal choroiditis in the macula.


RESULTS
All patients exhibited a solitary, elevated, yellow-white active focus of choroiditis with overlying subretinal fluid and in some cases subretinal hemorrhaging. The lesions were approximately 1 disc diameter in size and, on follow-up, showed minimal growth, then gradual resolution of the subretinal fluid. No other signs of ocular inflammation were noted, except in 1 patient who had anterior chamber and vitreous inflammation. In the 3 patients with prolonged follow-up, elevated white plaquelike lesions persisted with little change over time. Relapses were seen, and some permanent visual loss occurred in 1 of the 3 patients. Systemic evaluations revealed no definitive etiology.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, these patients exhibit an undescribed clinical entity, separable from previously established choroidal disorders. The cause of the lesions remains uncertain. We call this entity "unifocal helioid choroiditis."
Hong
P H
PH
Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill., USA.
Jampol
L M
LM
Dodwell
D G
DG
Hrisomalos
N F
NF
Lyon
A T
AT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002829:Choroid / Q000473:pathology*; D002833:Choroiditis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D014792:Visual Acuity