A Case of Tubeculous Neuroretinitis

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Tuberculosis is a chronic infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that can appear throughout the entire body; however, intraocular tuberculosis is rare. We report a case of tuberculous neuroretinitis accompanied by periphlebitis. METHODS: A 17-year-old female was referred with the diagnosis of retinal vasculitis. In the fundus of her right eye, an edematous disc, serous detachment of the macula, multiple hard exudates, and vascular sheathing around the veins were noted. Also, she had no direct light reflex in her right eye. Although her chest X-ray showed no abnormalities, the Tuberculin test was positive; therefore, the condition was diagnosed with a neuroretinitis accompanied by periphlebitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. RESULTS: High-dose steroid treatment decreased peripapillary edema but did not improved visual acuity. Treatment with antituberculosis medicine resulted in the recovery of her visual acuity and in fundus changes. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular tuberculosis commonly appears as perivasculitis; however, it can cause a visual disturbance by invading the retina and optic nerve simultaneously.