[Retinitis pigmentosa mimicking uveitis. A case report].

Purpose: To describe a case report of a 23-year-old patient with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) misdiagnosed as uveitis.

Methods: A comprehensive eye examination including automated visual field assessment, contrast sensitivity, colour vision discrimination, ultrasound examination (US), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and full-field electroretinography (ERG) was performed in a patient diagnosed elsewhere as having intermediate uveitis because of the observation of a cellular reaction in the anterior chamber, bilateral cystoid macular oedema and suspected left optic disc swelling.

Results: The patient reported nyctalopia. The best corrected visual acuity in both eyes was 6/12. Concentric visual field constriction was detected bilaterally (less than 25 degrees in the right eye and 15 degrees in the left eye). Fundus examination revealed a few pigment clumps and cystoid macular edema in both eyes confirmed by SD-OCT. Contrast sensitivity was decreased to 1,20 in the right and 0,9 in the left. No colour vision disturbance was present. The B scan ultrasound showed left optic disc drusen. Rod ERG responses were bilaterally not detectable and cone ERGs were abnormally reduced. Based on the examination results, a diagnosis of nonsyndromic RP was made.

Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of various manifestations of RP, including mild inflammation, to avoid possible confusin with uveitis.