Leber's idiopathic stellate neuroretinitis.

Twenty-nine eyes of 27 patients demonstrated the typical features of neuroretinitis with a mascular star. Historical and fluorescein angiographic features of this condition implicate a bloodborne infectious agent. It is likely that multiple agents can produce this condition, including the agent of cat-scratch fever and leptospirosis. A small subgroup may exist in whom this condition resembles anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and has a less favorable clinical course than is usual. There is evidence that this condition is not related to demyelinating disease. It is emphasized that this condition is not a maculopathy since vascular leakage in the optic nerve causes the star. Therefore, we suggest that this condition be renamed Leber's idiopathic stellate neuroretinitis.