Distinct Patterns of Choroidal Lesions in Punctate Inner Choroidopathy and Multifocal Choroiditis Determined by Heatmap Analysis

ABSTRACT

Purpose

A heatmap analysis of choroidal lesions in patients with punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) or multifocal choroiditis (MFC) with or without uveitis was performed to determine if there were any distinguishing features among these uveitic entities.

Methods

Retrospective review of medical records was conducted at the Byers Eye Institute, Stanford. Fundus photographs were masked and placed on a standardized template. Lesions were identified and heatmaps were generated in a standardized fashion.

Results

30 eyes were identified with PIC or MFC. Heatmap analysis revealed three distinct patterns of fundus lesions: posterior, peripheral, and combined. All patients with PIC had the posterior pattern. Patients with MFC had the peripheral or combined pattern, and all patients with MFC with uveitis had the combined pattern.

Conclusion

Three patterns of fundus lesions were identified in patients with PIC and MFC. PIC and MFC may represent two separate disease entities with distinct phenotypes of choroidal lesions.

KEYWORDS:

• Heatmap
• multifocal choroiditis
• multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis
• punctate inner choroidopathy

Declarations

Data was accessed in a HIPPA compliant fashion and adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki. This study of deidentified fundus photos was exempt from Institutional Review Board approval at Stanford University.

Declaration of interest

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