National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Multifocal choroiditis


Multifocal choroiditis (MFC) is an inflammatory disorder characterized by swelling of the eye (called uveitis) and multiple lesions in the choroid, a layer of blood vessels between the white of the eye and the retina. Symptoms include blurry vision, floaters, sensitivity to light, blind spots and mild eye discomfort.[1] Though the cause is unknown, multifocal choroiditis is seen most frequently in women ages 20 to 60, and usually affects both eyes.[2] MFC is generally treated with steroid medication that can be taken orally or injected into the eye. Multifocal choroiditis is a chronic condition, thus symptoms may return or worsen even after successful treatment.[3]        
Last updated: 3/7/2016
Multifocal choroiditis (MFC) generally causes blurry vision with or without sensitivity to light. Other common symptoms include blind spots, floaters, eye discomfort and perceived flashes of light.[3] Clinical examination by an ophthalmologist reveals inflammation in the front, middle and/or back layers of the eye with multiple scattered yellow/gray-white spots in the choroid and retina. A subset of people with this condition also develop choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs), new blood vessels that can cause more severe vision loss.[1]  
Last updated: 3/7/2016
Multifocal choroiditis occurs spontaneously and the cause is not currently known (idiopathic). It is possible that a bacterial or viral infection may trigger an immune response that causes the inflammation seen with MFC, though more research is needed in this area.[2][1]
Last updated: 3/7/2016
Multifocal choroiditis (MFC) is diagnosed by an ophthalmologist, using a series of imaging techniques. A test called flourescein angiography uses a special dye and camera to study blood flow in the back layers of the eye. When a person has MFC, lesions in the eye will appear as fluorescent spots. Vision tests may also show an enlarged blind spot or a decrease in visual clarity. Often, doctors may order blood tests to check if the symptoms are caused by a viral disease rather than MFC.[4] 
Last updated: 3/7/2016
Multifocal choroiditis (MFC) is generally treated with steroid medication that can be taken orally or injected into the affected eye. These treatments may be successful in managing symptoms, though there is no permanent cure for the disease and symptoms may return. If a person no longer responds to steroid treatment, drugs that suppress the immune system, such as cyclosporine, may be recommended.[1] People with more severe vision loss may also benefit from laser therapy.[2] Frequent monitoring by an ophthalmologist is recommended to determine how well treatment is working.
Last updated: 3/7/2016
The long-term outlook (prognosis) for multifocal choroiditis (MFC) differs case by case. Symptoms often recur after treatment in one or both eyes, but the frequency and severity varies.[1] Some people maintain normal vision throughout the course of the disease, while others may experience complications that cause more severe vision loss.[3] It is recommended that people with MFC have their eyes checked frequently by an ophthalmologist to monitor symptoms and disease progression.
Last updated: 3/7/2016

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Multifocal choroiditis. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Multifocal choroiditis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

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  1. Stephen Foster. Multifocal Choroiditis and Panuveities (MCOP): Case Report. The Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Foundation. http://www.uveitis.org/multifocal-choroiditis-and-panuveitis. Accessed 3/7/2016.
  2. Courtney M Crawford and Okezie Igboeli. A Review of the Inflammatory Chorioretinopathies: The White Dot Syndromes. International Scholarly Research Notices. May, 2013; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3833360/.
  3. Sam E Mansour and Gary R Cook. Multifocal Choroidopathy Syndromes. Medscape. October 5, 2015; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1190935-overview#a2.
  4. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Multifocal Choroiditis and Panuveitis. Focal Points. http://www.aao.org/focalpointssnippetdetail.aspx?id=343dae27-6e6b-45f8-8eca-f5c72077fb1e.