Choroiditis is a rare, inflammatory eye disease that affects the choroid layer at the back of the uvea. It can be caused by autoimmune diseases, viral infections, eye injuries, and other medical conditions. Treatment involves reducing pain and swelling with medication, and surgery may be necessary for other eye conditions. The prognosis is poor due to the difficulty in treating and the potential for permanent vision loss.
Choroiditis, also known as posterior uveitis, is a rare, inflammatory eye disease that affects only about 200,000 people in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. The choroid is the layer of the eye that sits at the back of the uvea. It is made up of connective tissue and blood vessels. This layer can become inflamed and swollen for a variety of possible reasons, although in most cases, doctors have mostly been unable to pinpoint the cause.
Choroiditis is generally thought to result from other medical conditions that a patient may have. Choroiditis has often been reported when the patient has suffered from autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, AIDS or lupus or from severe viral infections, such as shingles or herpes. Fungal infection, histoplasmosis, as well as the parasitic condition, toxoplasmosis, can lead to choroiditis. Eye injuries can also cause the condition. It’s possible that repeated eye injuries could make choroiditis even more likely.
The onset of choroiditis can be rapid, but more often slow. It usually affects only one eye. Vision becomes blurred in the affected eye, making it difficult to see, and the eye is sensitive to light and may become sore and red. At first, the patient may see flashes of light and floating spots. Gradually, the patient may lose vision in the eye.
The treating ophthalmologist will usually first try to reduce pain and swelling by having the patient use corticosteroids and pupil dilators in the form of eye drops. He or she may also order an injection or prescribe oral medications in cases where the swelling is severe. A complete medical history should be taken and an eye examination performed. The doctor will often order tests to establish whether or not the patient suffers from autoimmune diseases or infections. Surgeries, conventional or laser, may be indicated when another eye condition, such as glaucoma or cataracts, is present in the patient.
Right now, the prognosis for choroiditis cases is not very promising since it is so difficult to treat, due to the mystery surrounding its causes. The inflammation of the sick eye can last for months and even years. It can result in progressive and even permanent vision loss.
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