$Unique_ID{BRK03720}
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$Title{Epitheliopathy, Acute Posterior Multifocal Placoid Pigment}
$Subject{Epitheliopathy, Acute Posterior Multifocal Placoid Pigment APMPPE
Retinitis Pigmentosa}
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Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

609:
Epitheliopathy, Acute Posterior Multifocal Placoid Pigment

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Acute Posterior
Multifocal Placoid Pigment Epitheliopathy) is not the name you expected.
Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the alternate names and disorder
subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     APMPPE

Information on the following disease can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:

     Retinitis Pigmentosa

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.

Acute Posterior Multifocal Placoid Pigment Epitheliopathy (APMPPE) is a
rare, acquired eye disorder.  Major symptoms include rapid temporary loss of
vision and inflammation of the retinal veins.

Symptoms

APMPPE is characterized by multiple flat, yellow-white lesions of the
posterior pole of the retina.  There are usually signs of inflammation in the
veins of the retina which subside without treatment.  However, pigment
changes in the retina are generally permanent.  In some cases the resulting
vision loss can be permanent, but in most cases the disorder is characterized
by rapid but temporary loss of vision.

Causes

The exact cause of APMPPE is not known.  Researchers suspect that it may be
caused by a virus.  It can subside without treatment or it may reoccur at any
time.  The viruses may stay dormant in humans for extended periods of time,
then for reasons yet unknown may unexplainably become reactivated.

Affected Population

APMPPE affects males and females of all ages in equal numbers.  It is a very
rare disorder.

Related Disorders

Symptoms of the following disorder can be similar to those of APMPPE.
Comparison may be useful for a differential diagnosis:

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is one of a group of inherited diseases causing
degeneration of the retina.  When the retina degenerates, as in Retinitis
Pigmentosa, the vision decreases and may occasionally be lost.  One of the
earliest symptoms is difficulty seeing at night or in dimly lit places.  This
is slowly followed by tunnel vision.  The rate and extent of progression is
extremely variable, but RP does not occur with the sudden onset of APMPPE.
(For more information on this disorder, choose "RP" as your search term in
the Rare Disease Database).

Therapies:  Standard

Treatment of
APMPPE is symptomatic and supportive.  Very often vision returns without
specific treatment.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
April 1989.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Acute Posterior Multifocal Placoid Pigment
Epitheliopathy, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     Vision Foundation, Inc.
     818 Mt. Auburn Street
     Watertown, MA 02172
     (617) 926-4232

     NIH/National Eye Institute
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 496-5248

References

ACUTE POSTERIOR MULTIFOCAL PLACOID PIGMENT EPITHELIOPATHY; T. M. Goen, et
al.; J Am Optom Assoc (February, 1987, issue 58 (2)).  Pp. 112-117.

ACUTE POSTERIOR MULTIFOCAL PLACOID PIGMENT EPITHELIOPATHY; T. Autzen, et
al.; Acta Ophthalmof (June, 1986, 64 (3)).  Pp. 267-270.

ACUTE POSTERIOR MULTIFOCAL PLACOID PIGMENT EPITHELIOPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH
DIFFUSE RETINAL VASCULITIS AND LATE HAEMORRHAGIC MACULAR DETACHMENT; M.
Isashiki, et al.; Br J Ophthalmol (April, 1986, issue 70 (4)).  Pp. 255-259.