Diffuse Phlebitis in Patients with Syphilitic Outer Retinopathy.

Purpose: To report two cases of syphilitic outer retinopathy that showed diffuse phlebitis on fluorescein angiography (FA).

Methods

Retrospective chart review.

Results

The two patients had presentation similar to acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR), including hyperautofluorescence on fundus autofluorescence and ellipsoid zone disruption on optical coherence tomography. The main difference from AZOOR was the finding of diffuse phlebitis on FA. Both patients recovered well after antibiotic and steroid treatment.

Conclusion

FA is especially important for differentiating syphilitic outer retinopathy from AZOOR. Timely diagnosis and treatment with penicillin and cautious use of steroid usually lead to favorable prognosis.