Punctate inner choroiditis

Punctate inner choroiditis
Synonyms	PIC
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Blurred vision, scotoma, photopsia, metamorphopsia
Complications	Choroidal neovascularization, vision loss
Onset	Typically in young myopic women
Duration	Chronic
Types	N/A
Causes	Unknown, possibly autoimmune
Risks	Myopia, female gender, young adulthood
Diagnosis	Clinical examination, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography
Differential diagnosis	Multifocal choroiditis, serpiginous choroiditis, birdshot chorioretinopathy
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Corticosteroids, immunosuppressive therapy, anti-VEGF therapy
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable, risk of vision loss if untreated
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Punctate Inner Choroiditis Punctate Inner Choroiditis (PIC) is a rare inflammatory eye condition that primarily affects young myopic women. It is characterized by the presence of small, yellow-white lesions in the choroid, which is the vascular layer of the eye between the retina and the sclera. This condition can lead to significant visual impairment if not properly managed.

Clinical Presentation

Patients with PIC typically present with symptoms such as blurred vision, scotomas (blind spots), and photopsia (flashes of light). The onset is often sudden, and the condition can affect one or both eyes. The retina may show signs of inflammation, and the lesions can lead to complications such as choroidal neovascularization.

Pathophysiology

The exact cause of PIC is unknown, but it is believed to be an autoimmune process. The immune system mistakenly attacks the choroidal tissue, leading to inflammation and the characteristic lesions. The role of genetic and environmental factors in the development of PIC is still under investigation.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of PIC is primarily clinical, supported by imaging studies. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography are commonly used to visualize the lesions and assess the extent of choroidal involvement. Indocyanine green angiography can also be helpful in identifying the lesions.

Treatment

Treatment of PIC focuses on controlling inflammation and preventing complications. Corticosteroids are often used as the first line of treatment to reduce inflammation. In cases where corticosteroids are not effective or cause significant side effects, immunosuppressive agents may be considered. Anti-VEGF therapy is used to treat choroidal neovascularization.

Prognosis

The prognosis for patients with PIC varies. Some patients experience a single episode with no recurrence, while others may have multiple episodes leading to progressive vision loss. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in preserving vision.

Research and Future Directions

Ongoing research is focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms of PIC and developing targeted therapies. Advances in imaging techniques continue to improve the ability to diagnose and monitor the disease.

See Also

• Choroiditis
• Autoimmune diseases
• Retinal diseases

External Links

• [National Eye Institute - Punctate Inner Choroiditis](https://www.nei.nih.gov)
• [Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network](https://www.rarediseasesnetwork.org)

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Punctate inner choroiditis

Punctate inner choroiditis is a rare disease.