Birdshot chorioretinopathy is known by many other names, including: birdshot retinochoroidopathy, birdshot retinochoroiditis, birdshot retinopathy, or simply birdshot. It’s a rare disease that affects the back of the eye, and it can be hard to diagnose, so you might live with symptoms for a while before getting a clear diagnosis.
Early symptoms include floaters and blurred vision. As it progresses, the condition can cause night blindness, sensitivity to light (photophobia), distorted vision, and other vision problems. Although a small percentage of people get better without needing medical treatment, most people need corticosteroids and immunosuppressant medicines to get the inflammation under control. Managing life with the symptoms of birdshot chorioretinopathy can sometimes be challenging, but there is support to help you live independently and carry on doing the things you enjoy.
There’s more information on the symptoms, causes and treatments of birdshot chorioretinopathy on Moorfields’ website.
The best treatment to help those with birdshot chorioretinopathy live independently will vary from person to person, and it can take time to find the right combination for each individual. With birdshot chorioretinopathy, flare-ups and changes to vision are common, so regular adjustments to treatment and support will be needed.
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Birdshot chorioretinopathy is a rare inflammatory disease of the eye, but the exact prevalence isn't known because it's so rare. Based on evidence from a range of studies, the disease is estimated to affect less than 1 in 100,000 people (Source: Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases). The fact it's so rare can make it harder to get a diagnosis, as many eye care professionals won't have seen a patient with the condition before.
The exact cause of birdshot chorioretinopathy isn't known. One of the risk factors is being positive for an inherited antigen, HLA-A29. However, HLA-A29 positivity doesn't mean you'll definitely develop the condition. Scientists are researching to try and discover what the triggers for developing birdshot chorioretinopathy might be.
Birdshot uveitis is another name for birdshot chorioretinopathy. Birdshot chorioretinopathy is a type of posterior uveitis hence it's also known as birdshot uveitis. The name birdshot comes from the distinctive scatter pattern of chorioretinal lesions often seen at the back of the eye.
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