Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the effect on visual outcome of variation in time between symptom onset as well as diagnosis and treatment initiation inpatients with Birdshot Chorioretinopathy (BSCR).
Methods: :
Retrospective chart review of twelve patients with BSCR. Information gathered included presence and timing of presenting symptoms and ophthalmic exam details. Time from onset of symptoms to recognition of classic "Birdshot" lesions and time from symptom onset to treatment initiation were calculated, as was change in visual acuity over time. Statistical analyses were carried out for correlations between length of time from symptom onset to treatment initiation and outcome.
Results: :
Mean age of all patients was 56.5 years and 66.6% were female. Mean time from onset of symptoms to observation of classic "Birdshot" lesions was 18.7 months. Mean time from onset of symptoms to treatment initiation was 21.5 months. A statistically significant correlation was found between the time from symptom onset to treatment initiation and visual acuity outcome (Spearman Correlation Coefficient = 0.51472p = 0.0288).
Conclusions: :
A delay from time of symptom onset to diagnosis was not uncommon in patients eventually diagnosed with BSCR. A significant correlation was found between a longer time to treatment initiation and visual outcome. This finding supports the concept of early treatment of BSCR.
Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model • autoimmune disease • chorioretinitis