Distinctive Clinical Features of Idiopathic versus Infectious Serpiginous Choroidopathy

Abstract

Purpose: Serpiginous choroidopathy (SC) is an inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Infectious diseases that mimic SC are termed serpiginous-like choroidopathy (SLC). The aim of this study is to determine the clinical features of infectious SLC in comparison to SC.

Methods: Multicenter case series. Variables analyzed were age, gender, laterality, visual acuity, intraocular inflammation, multifocal pattern, choroidal neovascularization, involvement of juxtapapillary area, and posterior pole. Statistical significance was assessed by Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher’s exact test.

Results: Twenty-four patients had SC and 5 patients had SLC. Mean ages were 50 and 46 years (SC and SLC, respectively). In the SC group, 54% of the patients were males, and in the SC group, 80% were males. The disease was bilateral in 87.5% in the SC group and in 80% in the SLC group. The juxtapapillary area was involved in 91% in SC eyes and 0% in the SLC group (p < .05).

Conclusions: In cases where the peripapillary area is disease-free, an infectious etiology has to be strongly suspected, as an immunomodulatory treatment could have severe consequences.

KEYWORDS::

• Choroidopathy
• Idiopathic
• Infectious
• Inflammation
• Serpiginous

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