Optic neuropathy complicating multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with optic neuropathy complicating multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis (MFCPU).


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Eight patients (11 eyes) with MFCPU and optic neuropathy from a single center were reviewed and clinical outcomes described.


RESULTS
The median age of patients was 45 years; six patients were women and seven were Caucasian. In the six patients with available follow-up, the optic neuropathy was corticosteroid-responsive, but required corticosteroid treatment to prevent recurrences of optic nerve inflammation and subsequent vision loss. Five patients required immunosuppressive drug therapy during their treatment course. No patients had recurrence of optic neuropathy while receiving immunosuppressive drug therapy. Visual acuity improved or stabilized with treatment in nine of 11 affected eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Optic neuropathy is an uncommon complication of MFCPU that may result in substantial visual morbidity. Immunosuppressive drug therapy may prevent recurrences of optic neuropathy and subsequent vision loss.
Thorne
Jennifer E
JE
Department of Ophthalmology, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. jthorne@jhmi.edu <jthorne@jhmi.edu>
Wittenberg
Susan
S
Kedhar
Sanjay R
SR
Dunn
James P
JP
Jabs
Douglas A
DA
D000328:Adult; D002833:Choroiditis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D015864:Panuveitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011241:Prednisone