Endogenous nocardial chorioretinitis in an immunocompetent patient.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the presentation and management of an immunocompetent patient with endogenous Nocardia chorioretinitis.


METHODS
A previously healthy 55-year-old woman presented with reduced vision and metamorphopsia after accidental inhalation of Nocardia organisms from planting soil. She developed systemic nocardiosis with pulmonary and cerebellar involvement as well as bilateral chorioretinitis. Ocular infection resulted in choroidal neovascularization, which was successfully treated with intravitreal triamcinolone and thermal laser photocoagulation.


CONCLUSIONS
This patient is one of only a few immunocompetent individuals to develop endogenous nocardial chorioretinitis. Systemic antibiotic treatment and local laser therapy for subsequent choroidal neovascularization were effective in management of this case.
From the *Department of Ophthalmology, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and †Retina Associates of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio.
Zac B
ZB
Ravage
Lawrence J
LJ
Singerman