chorioretinal

Chorioretinal is an anatomical term referring to the combined choroid and retina of the eye, and it is used to describe diseases that affect one or both tissues or their interface. The choroid lies between the sclera and retina and supplies the outer retina with blood. The retina contains the photoreceptors and neural layers responsible for vision. Chorioretinal disorders can be inflammatory, infectious, degenerative, or neovascular in nature and may involve the retina, the choroid, or both.

Common conditions associated with the term include chorioretinitis, which denotes inflammation of both the choroid and retina, and chorioretinal atrophy, a degenerative thinning of the retina with secondary choroidal changes. Diseases may present with blurred vision, scotomas (blind spots), metamorphopsia (distorted vision), or floaters, with symptoms varying by underlying cause and extent of involvement.

Diagnosis relies on a comprehensive eye examination and multimodal imaging. Fluorescein angiography can reveal leakage or neovascularization, while optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides cross‑sectional views of retinal layers and subretinal fluid. Fundus autofluorescence highlights pigmentary changes, and ultrasound may aid in assessing posterior segment anatomy when media are unclear.

Management is disease-specific. Neovascularization often responds to anti-VEGF injections; inflammatory chorioretinitis may require corticosteroids or immunomodulatory therapy; infectious etiologies necessitate targeted antimicrobial treatment. Laser therapy or photodynamic therapy may be employed for certain neovascular conditions, and addressing systemic diseases is important when applicable.

Prognosis varies widely and depends on the underlying cause, duration before treatment, and extent of retinal and choroidal involvement. Early diagnosis and targeted therapy improve outcomes in many chorioretinal disorders.