Optic Neuropathy Complicating Multifocal Choroiditis and Panuveitis

Purpose: To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with optic neuropathy complicating multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis (MFCPU). Design: Retrospective case series. Methods: Eight patients (11 eyes) with MFCPU and optic neuropathy from a single center were reviewed and clinical outcomes described. Results: The median age of patients was 45 years; six patients were women and seven were Caucasian. In the six patients with available follow-up, the optic neuropathy was corticosteroid-responsive, but required corticosteroid treatment to prevent recurrences of optic nerve inflammation and subsequent vision loss. Five patients required immunosuppressive drug therapy during their treatment course. No patients had recurrence of optic neuropathy while receiving immunosuppressive drug therapy. Visual acuity improved or stabilized with treatment in nine of 11 affected eyes. Conclusions: Optic neuropathy is an uncommon complication of MFCPU that may result in substantial visual morbidity. Immunosuppressive drug therapy may prevent recurrences of optic neuropathy and subsequent vision loss.