[Birdshot retinochoroidopathy. Five clinical cases analysis].
OBJECTIVE
The Birdshot retinochoroidopathy is a rare chronical intraocular inflammatory disease. The authors made a comparative study of the disease's clinical manifestations and its response to therapy.


METHODS
We selected five patients who had ocular inflammation which presented on the ocular fundus examination typical multifocal yellow-white patches of depigmentation of choroid and pigment epithelium and vitreous inflammation.


RESULTS
All the patients showed early spots of hypofluorescence that became hyperfluorescent in the venous phase of angiography, a depression of b-wave amplitude of electroretinogram, a blue-yellow defect of colour vision and carried HLA-A 29 antigen. We recorded an improvement of the visual acuity and of the clinical picture after treatment with corticosteroid and cyclosporine A.


CONCLUSIONS
Even though Birdshot retinochoroidopathy is a rare pathology in Southern Europe, the cases presented allowed us to conclude that early diagnosis and appropriate therapy greatly improve the well being of these patients (Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol 2002; 77: 247-256).
Abrantes
P
P
Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital de S o José, Lisboa, Portugal.
Martins
M
M
Ferreira
P
P
Ganhão
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002825:Chorioretinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged