Spontaneous resolution of severe neuroretinitis following a febrile illness

Abstract

Background: Neuroretinitis represents a self-limiting, benign, systemic inflammatory process with rarely a specific etiology being identified, yet steroids are used in treatment. Aims: To report a case series of adolescents suffering from bilateral neuroretinitis following a febrile illness with spontaneous resolution without steroids therapy. Method: Here in we report a series of five patients who presented with diminision of vision (counting fingers) in both eyes 3-4 weeks following a febrile illness characterized by optic disc swelling, and macular star exudates. Results: Visual acuity resolved spontaneously to 20/40 or better without steroid therapy over a period varying between 3 months to 18months. Conclusion: This study represents a retrospective review of group of patients with good visual recovery without steroid treatment and also highlights observation combined with patient councelling remains an appropriate option for neuroretinitis following febrile illness.

Keywords

• Neuroretinitis
• Steroids in optic neuritis
• febrile illness