Ocular Findings in Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ocular manifestations of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) and to investigate possible risk factors in a relatively large series of patients.

Methods: In this prospective study, patients who were diagnosed with SSPE and had undergone ophthalmic examination were included.

Results: Of the 59 patients with SSPE, 25 (42.4%) had ocular findings. Ocular involvement was bilateral in 22 (88%) patients. The most characteristic fundus findings in our patients were chorioretinitis. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of age, gender, clinical stage, and ocular findings.

Conclusions: Although ophthalmological findings do not constitute a part of the diagnostic criteria, and the correlation between the clinical stage of SSPE and the ocular findings is unclear, patients with SSPE should be screened and followed up for ocular involvement.

Keywords::

• chorioretinitis
• ocular involvement
• optic nerve head edema
• retinal edema
• subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.