Choroiditis, Serpiginous

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

Synonyms

  • Geographic Choroiditis
  • Geographic Helicoid Peripapillary Choroidopathy (GHPC)
  • Geographic Serpiginous Choroiditis
  • Peripapillary Choroidopathy
  • Serpiginous Choroidopathy
  • Geographic Choroidopathy

Disorder Subdivisions

  • None

General Discussion

Serpiginous Choroiditis is one of the conditions in a group termed the white dot syndromes which all involve inflammation of the retina and choroid and are defined by the appearance of white dots in the posterior inner part of the eye (fundus). Serpiginous Choroiditis is a rare recurrent eye disorder characterized by irregularly shaped (serpiginous) lesions involving two layers of the eye surface (the retinal pigment epithelium and the choriocapillaris). No symptoms are apparent unless a specific area of the retina (macula) is damaged. A sudden, painless decrease in vision in one or both eyes may be the first sign of Serpiginous Choroiditis. Patients may also notice blind gaps in the visual field (scotomata) or a sensation of flashes of light (photopsia). Both eyes are commonly affected, although the second eye may not develop lesions for weeks to years after the first eye. The exact cause of Serpiginous Choroiditis is not known.

Resources

Lighthouse International
111 E 59th St
New York, NY 10022-1202
Tel: (800)829-0500
Email: info@lighthouse.org
Internet: http://www.lighthouse.org

Association for Macular Diseases, Inc.
210 E. 64th St.
8th Floor
New York, NY 10065
Tel: (212)605-3719
Fax: (212)605-3795
Email: association@retinal-research.org
Internet: http://www.macula.org/association/about.html

NIH/National Eye Institute
31 Center Dr
MSC 2510
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
United States
Tel: (301)496-5248
Fax: (301)402-1065
Email: 2020@nei.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nei.nih.gov/

Eye Cancer Foundation
115 East 61st Street, Suite 5B
New York, NY 10021
Tel: (212)832-7297
Fax: (212)888-4030
Email: contactus@eyecarefoundation.org
Internet: http://eyecancerfoundation.net/index.htm

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Tel: (301)251-4925
Fax: (301)251-4911
Tel: (888)205-2311
TDD: (888)205-3223
Internet: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.® (NORD). Cigna members can access the complete report by logging into myCigna.com. For non-Cigna members, a copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html.

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated:  4/25/2008
Copyright  1994, 2003 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.


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