Autoimmune retinopathies: a report of 3 cases.

Purpose: To describe 3 representative cases of autoimmune retinopathy (AIR).

Methods: Clinical records of patients with a diagnosis of AIR were analyzed for demographic data, clinical findings, ancillary and laboratory tests, and treatment employed.

Results: Three female patients diagnosed with AIR had bilateral reduction of electroretinogram amplitudes and elevation of visual field threshold within the central 30 degrees of the visual field that was disproportionately more severe than the clinical findings of retinal degeneration. The diagnoses were cancer-associated retinopathy, non-neoplastic AIR, and hereditary retinal dystrophy with secondary inflammation. Optic nerve involvement was also present in all cases. The patient with non-neoplastic AIR was successfully treated with systemic corticosteroids and immunomodulatory agents.

Conclusion: High index of suspicion is essential for an early diagnosis of AIR. Visual function and electrophysiological tests should be included in the initial workup of patients who present with suggestive clinical signs and symptoms of AIR.