Optical coherence tomography findings in acute retinal pigment epitheliitis.

PURPOSE: To report the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in three patients with acute retinal pigment epitheliitis (ARPE).

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational case series.

METHODS

The charts of three patients with ARPE were reviewed. Approval from the Institutional Review Board was obtained. Fundus photographs, fluorescein angiograms, and OCT findings were examined.

RESULTS

Three healthy, young patients presented with acute unilateral blurred vision. Ophthalmoscopy revealed fine pigment stippling surrounded by haloes of hypopigmentation. Fluorescein angiography demonstrated transmission hyperfluorescence. OCT showed abnormal foveal hyperreflectivity involving the outer nuclear layer and photoreceptors in all cases. Disruption of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) was seen in two cases. With resolution, the abnormal hyperreflectivity decreased in thickness.

CONCLUSIONS

OCT confirms the involvement of the outer neurosensory retina in acute retinal pigment epitheliitis. RPE involvement may be a secondary post-inflammatory response, because one case did not have significant disruption of the RPE.