HISTOPATHOLOGIC CONFIRMATION OF LYMPHOCYTIC INFILTRATION OF THE OPTIC NERVE AND INNER RETINA IN BIRDSHOT CHORIORETINOPATHY

Purpose:To describe new histological findings involving the inner retina in birdshot chorioretinopathy.Methods:Evaluation of the inner retinal pathology of the eye of a patient with bilateral birdshot chorioretinopathy who underwent enucleation for a unilateral ciliochoroidal melanoma.Results:Histopathological sections showed focal perivascular lymphocytic infiltration at the optic nerve head that extended into the adjacent inner retina, mainly involving the ganglion and nerve fiber layers.Conclusion:We have previously shown that birdshot chorioretinopathy has multiple foci of lymphocytes in the choroid. This is the first report that demonstrates lymphocytic infiltration of the inner retinal layers. This may lead to the bipolar and Muller cell dysfunction that ultimately results in an electronegative electroretinogram.

Automated summary

This study describes new histological findings of the inner retina in birdshot chorioretinopathy. The study found focal perivascular lymphocytic infiltration at the optic nerve head, extending into the adjacent inner retina, particularly affecting the ganglion and nerve fiber layers. This may result in bipolar and Muller cell dysfunction, leading to an electronegative electroretinogram.