CHORIORETINAL TOXOPLASMOSIS COMPLICATING RETINAL-DETACHMENT

Purpose To describe and analyse relationship between chorioretinal tox oplasmosis and retinal detachment. Patients and methods Seven immunoco mpetent patients examined and treated between November 1992 and March 1996, with ocular toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis and retinal detachment . Results Of the 7 patients examined, 5 had active retinochoroiditis a nd 2 had typical inactive scars. Of the patients with active focus 3 h ad giant retinal tears, one had a posterior retinal tear and one had a retinal tear located at the edge of an atrophic scar. Of the patients with inactive lesions, one had tractional retinal detachment and the other presented with a complete retinal detachment, multiples rears an d PVR. Five patients were treated by corticosteroid without antitoxopl asmic drug before they were refered. The seven patients enderwent endo -ocular surgery with silicon oil or long actic gas tamponade. Three pa tients developed PVR and redetachment of the retina and two patients u nderwent further surgery. Good anatomical result was obtained in 6 pat ients. Conclusion Retinal detachment associated with toxoplasmic retin ochoroiditis is rare. However it represents a serious complication. St eroid administrated to salvage vision may then worsen the clinical cou rse, these may be justified to reduce hypersensitivity to toxoplasma a ntigen, but they should be combined with an antimicrobial agent.