HERPES-ZOSTER CHORIORETINOPATHY

Chorioretinitis and subsequent choroidal and retinal pigment epithelia l atrophy following herpes tester ophthalmicus (HZO) have rarely been reported. We report two patients, who several months following attacks of acute HZO, developed posterior fundus features of yellow, non-pigm ented, punched-out areas of retinal pigment epithelial and choroidal p igment atrophy, which we have termed herpes tester chorioretinopathy. An occlusive vasculitic process is proposed as the pathogenesis for th is chorioretinopathy, and may be similar to that seen in the delayed c erebral vasculitis following HZO. A previous history of HZO should be sought in patients with a unilateral, multifocal, nonpigmented chorior etinopathy, as this may represent a characteristic delayed feature.