A case of autoimmune retinopathy associated with thyroid carcinoma

PURPOSE: To report a case of autoimmune retinopathy (AIR) associated with a thyroid carcinoma.

DESIGN: Case report.

METHOD: A 51-year-old Caucasian woman presented with a rapid decline in vision. Initial visual field and immunohistochemical testing revealed autoimmune retinopathy without an apparent underlying malignancy. Conventional local and systemic immunosuppressive therapies failed to halt the progression.

RESULTS: Rituximab treatments were initiated and a slowing of visual loss was seen. Continued surveillance for malignancy revealed a thyroid adenoma, and later a thyroidectomy revealed a thyroid carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS: This report highlights the unique presentation of AIR associated with a thyroid carcinoma, the need for continued surveillance for malignancy in cases of AIR, and the possible new use of rituximab for the treatment of AIR.