2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
12 Retina and Vitreous
Part II: Disorders of the Retina and Vitreous
Chapter 09: Choroidal Disease
Uveal Effusion Syndrome
In uveal effusion syndrome, abnormal scleral composition or thickness reduces transscleral aqueous outflow, inhibiting net fluid movement through the posterior eye wall. Choroidal and ciliary body thickening, RPE alterations, and exudative retinal detachment may occur. The choroid is often so thick that OCT imaging is not possible, but the gross thickening can be imaged with ultrasonography. Fluorescein angiography usually shows a leopard-spot pattern of hypofluorescence without focal leakage (Fig 9-17). Visual function may fluctuate. Although scleral window surgery may yield anatomical restitution, the visual results may be less satisfactory because of chronic, irreversible changes caused by the condition. A high index of suspicion for uveal effusion syndrome should be maintained for young patients with hyperopia whose disorder has been diagnosed as either CSC or retinal detachment without a retinal hole or tear. In some patients, intravitreal triamcinolone may cause resolution of fluid.
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Elagouz M, Stanescu-Segall D, Jackson TL. Uveal effusion syndrome. Surv Ophthalmol. 2010; 55(2):134–145.
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Johnson MW, Gass JD. Surgical management of the idiopathic uveal effusion syndrome. Ophthalmology. 1990;97(6):778–785.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.