Retinitis in Lyme Disease - Retinal Inflammatory Disease

Retinitis in Lyme Disease

Definition

Inflammation of the retina usually caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.

Epidemiology: 

The incidence of this retinal disorder has increased in recentyears.

Etiology: 

The inflammation is caused by spirochetes usually transmitted bybites from infected ticks.

Findings and symptoms: 

Lyme disease can lead to many inflammatory ocu-lar changes with their respective symptoms. These include conjunctivitis, keratitis, and iridocyclitis. Retinal vasculitis, retinal artery occlusion, neu-roretinitis, optic neuritis, and choroiditis have also been described.

Lyme disease should be excluded as a possible cause of posterior uveitis of uncertain etiology.

Diagnostic considerations: 

The diagnosis is made by ophthalmoscopy andserologic studies to identify the pathogen.

Differential diagnosis: 

Inflammatory ocular changes due to other causes(such as toxoplasmosis or tuberculosis) should be excluded.

Treatment: 

Antibiotic treatment with tetracycline, penicillin G, or third-generation cephalosporins is indicated.

Clinical course and prognosis: 

Retinal changes due to Lyme disease tend torecur.