Retinitis classification

Retinitis Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Retinitis from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Retinitis classification On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Retinitis classification All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Retinitis classification
CDC on Retinitis classification
Retinitis classification in the news
Blogs on Retinitis classification
Directions to Hospitals Treating Retinitis
Risk calculators and risk factors for Retinitis classification

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ilan Dock, B.S.

Overview

Retinitis may be classified according to the underlying cause for the disease. There are two major classifications of underlying causes of retinitis, they are genetic disorders and infectious agents. The underlying cause for the disease may be established based on clinical presentation and manifestation of symptoms.

Classification

Genetic Disorders

Classification	Clinical Manifestations
Nyctalopia	Occurs early on during the clinical course of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Night blindness occurs due to the loss of rod cell function. Nyctalopia can be an indicator of the eventually clinical severity of the complications associated with retinitis. Early onset of severe complications typically indicates more severe complications later on during the clinical course.
Fundus disorders	Defective rod cell response, although fundus appears normal Arteriolar narrowing Intraretinal pigmentation Loss of pigment in pigment epithelium Intraretinal clumping due to the accumulation of melanin
Visual acuity disorder	Macular lesions Defective cone-rod cell function Loss of central acuity
Sector RP	Changes may be observed in specific halves or quadrants of the fundus Less severe defects in the visual field Sectorial disease with the long term potential of widespread disease
Retinitis pigmentosa progression with Pregnancy	Women previously diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa may report an overall decrease in vision during pregnancy.

Infectious Agents

Infectious Agent	Clinical Manifestations
Cytomegalovirus	Physical evidence of a cytomegalovirus presence in one of both eyes will generally clinical present in the form of lesions, adjacent retinal vessels. These lesions may impinge upon the fovea and the optic nerve. Furthermore they are usually discovered in close proximity to both. Further extending lesions may be present in close proximity to the vortex veins as well as the ora serrata.
Tuberculosis	Caseating granulomas Multiple choroidal tubercles- small grayish nodules located on the posterior pole of the eye Yellow necrotizing granulomas|-
Fungal	Candida albicans Visibly hazy vitreous White circumscribed lesions Aspergillus fumigatus Yellow subretinal infiltrates Retinal infiltrates Fungal hyphae are located throughout the eye - suggestive of pulmonary involvement Cryptococcus neoformans Yellowish-white lesions located on the fundus of the eye Mutton-fat keratic precipitates
Toxoplasmosis	Localized areas of infiltrate Active lesions are adjacent to initial scarring
Syphilis	Hemorrhagic areas Flare visible in anterior and posterior portions