Reversal of Severe Visual Loss from Syphilitic Chorioretinitis Following Penicillin Treatment

ABSTRACT

A 51-year-old Caucasian male was referred to neuro-ophthalmology clinic for an evaluation of acute onset of painless visual loss in the left eye. The ocular examination revealed subtle retinal changes suspicious for chorioretinitis. Laboratory workup revealed a reactive Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TP-PA), confirming the diagnosis of ocular syphilis. The patient was treated with intravenous infusion of penicillin with complete recovery of vision and resolution of retinal abnormalities.

• Autofluorescence
• chorioretinitis
• optical coherence tomography (OCT)
• syphilis
• Treponema pallidum
• vision loss

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