Ocular toxoplasmosis presenting as neuroretinitis: report of two cases.

BACKGROUND

Neuroretinitis is a clinical entity usually seen in young healthy adults, that is characterized by rapid profound unilateral loss of vision and includes optic nerve head edema, splinter hemorrhages, macular exudate in a stellate pattern, and variable vitreous inflammation. There are numerous entities that can cause a picture of neuroretinitis ranging from vascular to infectious to autoimmune.

PATIENT AND

METHODS

We report two patients with neuroretinitis, who presented with unilateral blurred vision and had serologic evidence of Toxoplasma gondii infection.

RESULTS

Both patients responded well to treatment with systemic antibiotics and corticosteroids. Visual acuity returned to 20/60 in one patient and 20/20 in the other.

CONCLUSION

Although the etiology is usually idiopathic, infectious causes of neuroretinitis, including toxoplasmosis, should be kept in mind in order to maintain visual acuity by early diagnosis and appropriate therapy.