Opthal: Chorioretinitis: Free MSRA Podcast

🎧 MSRA Podcast: Chorioretinitis – Causes, Clues & ComplicationsIn this high-yield MSRA podcast, we break down Chorioretinitis—a potentially sight-threatening inflammation of the retina and choroid. Expect red flags, real case clues, and memory aids to supercharge your revision.🧠 What You’ll Learn✅ Definition• Inflammation of the retina + choroid• Can be infectious (e.g. toxoplasma, CMV, syphilis) or autoimmune (e.g. sarcoidosis, Behçet’s)• May be congenital or acquired, with fluid leakage and inflammation🔬 Causes & Risk Factors🦠 Infectious:• Toxoplasma gondii (most common)• CMV, EBV, syphilis, TB, histoplasma🧬 Non-infectious:• Sarcoidosis, Behçet’s, VKH, malignancy⚠️ Risk Factors:• Immunosuppression (HIV, steroids)• STIs (syphilis)• Soil/water exposure (toxoplasma/fungi)• Systemic inflammatory disease🧠 Mnemonic: A-I-M – Autoimmune, Infectious, Malignancy📋 Differentials• Retinal detachment• Macular degeneration• Posterior uveitis• PVD, vitreous haemorrhage🧠 Mnemonic: DUMP VR – Detachment, Uveitis, Macula, PVD, Vasculitis, Retinoblastoma📊 Epidemiology (UK)• Toxoplasma = top cause of posterior uveitis (ages 10–35)• CMV → advanced HIV• Congenital CMV ~0.2–2%• Autoimmune links more varied👁️ Symptoms• Blurred vision, floaters, scotomas• Photophobia, pain, colour change• Redness, sometimes asymptomatic in congenital cases🩺 Exam Findings• Active: yellow-white lesions• Inactive: scars + pigment• Vitreous haze, oedema, IOP changes• Do fundoscopy, OCT, IOP check🔎 Investigations• OCT, fluorescein angiography• Serology: toxoplasma, CMV, syphilis, HIV, TB• CXR, MRI for systemic signs• Eye fluid sampling in complex cases💊 Management1️⃣ Treat the cause• Toxoplasma: pyrimethamine + sulfadiazine + folinic acid• CMV: ganciclovir/valganciclovir• Syphilis: IV benzylpenicillin• ± corticosteroids (use cautiously)2️⃣ Control inflammation• Topical/systemic steroids• Immunosuppressants (e.g. methotrexate, TNFi)• Anti-VEGF for CNV3️⃣ Supportive care• Monitor with OCT, slit lamp• Urgent referral for floaters/vision loss📉 Prognosis• Variable—depends on cause + location• Macular lesions = ↑ risk of permanent loss• Congenital toxo in UK = good outcomes• Recurrence is common (toxo, autoimmune)• Early diagnosis = better outcomes⚠️ Complications• Retinal scarring, macular oedema• CNV, glaucoma, retinal detachment• Optic nerve damage, vision loss• Amblyopia in children🧠 Mnemonic: MEG SCAR – Macular oedema, Endophthalmitis, Glaucoma, Scarring, CNV, Amblyopia, Retinal detachment📚 Chorioretinitis MSRA Resources📝 Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/chorioretinitis-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/chorioretinitis-flashcards/📖 Q&A: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/chorioretinitis-accordion-qa-notes/🎯 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/chorioretinitis-rapid-quiz/🧪 Full Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/chorioretinitis/🌐 More: https://www.passthemsra.com | https://www.freemsra.com#MSRA #Chorioretinitis #PosteriorUveitis #Toxoplasmosis #Ophthalmology #VisionLoss #RetinalInflammation #CMV #MSRAFlashcards #MSRARevision #PassTheMSRA #FreeMSRA #MSRAQuiz #UKGuidelines #MedicalEducation #MSRATextbook #OCT