Subretinal neovascularization secondary to choroidal septic metastasis from acute bacterial endocarditis.

Abstract

The clinical features of an infective embolic choroidopathy are described, from its early onset to late complications in a 45-year-old man with acute Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis of the aortic valve. Initial fundus examination revealed, in addition to fresh choroidal lesions, stigmata of a previous embolic episode secondary to endocarditis from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans. The choroidal lesions were extremely asymmetrical, with a clear preference for localization in the left eye. Similar ocular findings were seen in a 78-year-old female with mitral valve prolapse and acute S. aureus endocarditis. In this case, however, choroidal involvement from septic emboli spread was bilateral and roughly symmetrical. Choroidal neovascular membranes arising in scars from choroidal septic emboli occurred in the macular area of the left eye of both patients, 10 months and 5 years after embolization, respectively.