Choroiditis, also known as posterior uveitis, is a rare inflammatory eye disease that, according to the National Institutes of Health, only affects about 200,000 people in the United States. The choroid is the layer of the eye that is located at the back of the uvea. It is made up of connective tissue and blood vessels. This layer can become inflamed and inflamed for a variety of possible reasons, although in most cases, doctors have not been able to identify the causes.
It is generally believed that choroiditis occurs due to other illnesses that a patient may have. Choroiditis has often been reported when the patient has autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, AIDS, or lupus, or serious viral infections such as shingles or herpes. The fungal infection, histoplasmosis, as well as the parasitic condition, toxoplasmosis, can lead to choroiditis. Injury to the eye can also cause the condition. It's possible that repeated injuries to the eye can make choroiditis even more likely.
The onset of choroiditis can be rapid, but it is often slow. It usually affects only one eye. Vision becomes blurred in the affected eye, making it difficult for you to see, and the eye is sensitive to light and may become sore and red. At first, the patient may see flashes of light and floating spots. Gradually, the patient may lose vision in the eye.
The treating ophthalmologist will usually first try to decrease pain and swelling by having the patient use corticosteroids and dilator eye drops. He or she may also order an injection or prescribe oral medications in cases where the swelling is severe. A complete medical history should be taken and an eye exam performed. The doctor will often order tests to establish whether or not the patient is suffering from autoimmune disorders or infections. Surgeries, whether conventional or laser, may be indicated when another eye condition, such as glaucoma or cataracts, may be present in the patient.
At this time, the prognosis for cases of choroiditis is not very promising since it is very difficult to treat, due to the mystery surrounding its causes. The inflammation of the diseased eye can last for months and even years. It can cause progressive and even permanent vision loss.