[Birdshot retinochoroidopathy: Key messages]

Abstract

Birdshot retinochoroidopathy (BRC) is a potentially blinding posterior autoimmune uveitis that affects Caucasian patients in their fifties. Strongly associated with the HLA A 29 phenotype, BRC is characterized by the presence of suggestive choroidal lesions on the fundus, but their apparition can be delayed. Visual acuity is not a good descriptive factor of visual function. Ancillary tests can therefore help establish the diagnosis and allow proper follow-up of BRC patients: optical coherence tomography can reveal either oedema or atrophy of the macula. Fluorescein and infracyanine green angiograms can show signs of inflammatory activity and give further diagnostic clues. Electroretinograms and visual fields can be useful for the diagnosis and follow-up. BCR patients should be examined periodically and undergo exhaustive clinical and paraclinical tests to insure the best prognosis. Corticosteroids should be associated with immunosuppressive treatments as early as possible in the presence of factors that are predictive of the worse prognoses.

Keywords: Acuité visuelle; Angiogram; Angiographie; Birdshot retinochoroidopathy; Champs visuels; Electro-oculogram; Electroretinogram; Inflammation; Optical coherence tomography; Perimetry; Rétinochoroïdopathie de Birdshot; Tomographie par cohérence optique; Uveitis; Uvéite; Visual acuity; Électro-oculographie; Électrorétinographie.