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Acute Zonal Occult Outer Retinopathy (Azoor) is a very rare condition in which the retina at the back of the eye malfunctions because of inflammation. The cause is unknown. It is characterised by a rapid loss of visual field.
The retina lines the back of the eye rather as film lines the back of a camera, and as the retina loses function parts of the vision may appear dull or may be absent.
When the ophthalmologist views the back of the eye, evidence of inflammation is usually evident, although the retina appears to be normal. The diagnosis is confirmed by recording the electrical response of the retina to light (electroretinogram), which confirms that the visual loss is due to retinal disease rather than problems elsewhere.
Symptoms of Azoor
In Azoor, retinal dysfunction may occur without corresponding visible retinal lesions. Symptoms of Azoor include flashing lights and an enlarged blind spot. The area of visual loss may spread for a period and then become stable. In the majority of patients, the retina recovers its function and sight returns over a period of one to three years. However, in a small proportion there is no recovery of sight and, with time, structural changes at the back of the eye become apparent to the clinician.
There is no known treatment for this condition.
