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Choroiditis is a form of uveitis (inflammation inside the eye) characterized by the inflammation of the choroid, the vascular layer of tissue located between the retina and the sclera (the white outer wall of the eye).
read more about choroiditis ...The primary causes are usually infectious (such as tuberculosis or fungal infections) or autoimmune disorders that affect the entire body. The inflammation begins when immune cells infiltrate the choroid layer, damaging the blood vessels and causing swelling.
Since the choroid is essential for supplying blood and oxygen to the outer layers of the retina, any severe inflammation or damage in this layer can lead to direct damage of the overlying retina, severely affecting vision.
Symptoms are associated with visual disturbances, as choroiditis is usually painless in its initial stages. Patients report blurred vision, the sudden appearance of floaters, and scotomas (blind spots) in their visual field. The damage to the choroid often leads to swelling beneath the retina, causing the retinal tissue to become displaced or distorted, which immediately impairs sharp vision.
Choroiditis severely impacts vision because the choroid provides oxygen to the retina. Inflammation disrupts this supply and can lead to retinal scarring or the growth of abnormal blood vessels (choroidal neovascularization). This damage leads to permanent loss of sight if not treated aggressively.
Diagnosis involves a extensive dilated eye exam. Imaging tests such as fundus photography and fluorescein angiography are used to confirm the inflammation and identify any abnormal vessel growth or leakage in the choroid.
Management strategies focus on treating the underlying cause and suppressing inflammation. Treatment involves high doses of corticosteroids (oral or injected) to control the inflammation. Antibiotics or antiviral medications are used if an infectious cause is identified.
Yes, if treated early, inflammation can be controlled, but scarring may lead to permanent vision loss.
Choroiditis is generally painless, but the visual loss is often sudden and noticeable.
Yes, choroiditis is often a sign that a systemic infection (like syphilis or TB) has spread to the eye.
Consult a specialist if you notice "blind spots" or distorted lines (metamorphopsia). Choroiditis affects the vascular layer under the retina. If you have an autoimmune condition like Sarcoidosis, regular dilated fundus exams are required to monitor for silent inflammation of the choroid.
AAO. Posterior Uveitis and Choroiditis (aao.org). 2024.
National Eye Institute. Uveitis Information (nei.nih.gov). 2024.
Mayo Clinic. Uveitis Symptoms (mayoclinic.org). 2024.
StatPearls. Choroiditis Pathogenesis (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). 2024.