Diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis in Venezuela.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical features and management of the largest reported series to date of patients with diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis (DUSN).


METHODS
Observational case series.


METHODS
The charts of all patients coded as having DUSN in a vitreoretinal clinic in Caracas, Venezuela between July 1979 and August 2000 were retrospectively reviewed.


METHODS
Demographic information, presenting visual acuity, clinical course, and treatment were evaluated.


RESULTS
We identified 82 eyes of 78 patients with DUSN. The mean age at diagnosis was 16.7 years, significantly younger than the mean age of the Venezuelan population. Sixty-five (83.3%) patients were 20 years old or younger (P<0.001 when compared with the population of Venezuela). Thirty-three (42.3%) of the patients were female. The presenting visual acuity was 20/400 or worse in 69 eyes (84.1%). The subretinal nematode was identified in 33 eyes (40.2%). All nematodes were small, approximately 400 microm in length.


CONCLUSIONS
In Venezuela, DUSN is seen primarily in young patients without a significant gender predilection. The vast majority of patients in this population presented with severe vision loss that was irreversible.
Cortez
Rafael
R
Centro de Cirugia Oftalmológica, Caracas, Venezuela.
Denny
John P
JP
Muci-Mendoza
Rafael
R
Ramirez
Gema
G
Fuenmayor
Darío
D
Jaffe
Glenn J
GJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012173:Retinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D015766:Albendazole