The white dot syndromes

• Published in: American journal of ophthalmology Vol. 137; no. 3; pp. 538 - 550
• Main Authors: Quillen, David A., Davis, Janet B., Gottlieb, Justin L., Blodi, Barbara A., Callanan, David G., Chang, Tom S., Equi, Robert A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-03-2004; Elsevier; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Age; Biological and medical sciences; Choroid Diseases - complications; Choroid Diseases - diagnosis; Choroid Diseases - therapy; Disease; Herpes viruses; Humans; Illnesses; Macular degeneration; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; Middle age; Myopia; Ophthalmology; Retina; Retinal Diseases - complications; Retinal Diseases - diagnosis; Retinal Diseases - therapy; Retinopathies; Sarcoidosis; Syndrome; Womens health; Human; Eye disease; Retinopathy; Treatment; Uvea disease; Clinical investigation; Review; Diagnosis; Chorioretinopathy
• ISSN: 0002-9394; 1879-1891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajo.2004.01.053

To review the distinctive and shared features of the white dot syndromes, highlighting the clinical findings, diagnostic test results, proposed etiologies, treatments, and prognosis.
Review.
Review of the literature.
Common white dot syndromes are reviewed, including acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy, birdshot chorioretinopathy, diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis, multiple evanescent white dot syndrome, multifocal choroiditis with panuveitis, serpiginous choroiditis, and acute zonal occult outer retinopathy.
The white dot syndromes are a group of disorders characterized by multiple whitish-yellow inflammatory lesions located at the level of the outer retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and choroid. For clinicians and researchers alike, they present significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.