Neuroretinitis: a comprehensive review on aetiologies, clinical manifestations, and treatment options

Neuroretinitis connotes a descriptive clinical entity of optic disc oedema in association with macular exudates in a star configuration. Accordingly, it does not indicate a specific aetiology, although cat scratch disease caused by Bartonella henselae is the most common cause. Historically, the recognition of neuroretinitis dates to the early 20th century with the eventual understanding that the optic disc is the primary target of disease with secondary macular involvement. Neuroretinitis can be broadly divided into four categories: infectious, inflammatory, autoimmune and mimickers. The intention of this article is to review the various aetiologies of neuroretinitis with a focus on the etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and management of B. henselae associated neuroretinitis and recurrent idiopathic neuroretinitis.