Choroidal tubercles, an ocular presentation in tuberculosis: A retrospective observational hospital-based study

Aim: The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of choroidal tubercles in tuberculosis (TB) patients. Introduction: TB is the most common cause of infectious cause of death, especially in endemic countries. TB infection spreads hematogenously from the primary infection site to the rest of the body. Ocular presentation manifests in the form of choroidal tubercles being the most common fundus change. Materials and Methods: It was a retrospective, observational hospital-based study. A total of 100 TB patients were studied, and their data were collected from the hospital record system from February 2020 to March 2021. Fundus examinations were reviewed, and the most common ocular presentation was found to be choroidal tubercles. Observations and Results: During the study period, out of 100 patients, 60% were females and 40% were males. Fundus changes were present in 14% of patients, and these were choroidal tubercles in 12% of patients and papillitis in 2%. Choroidal tubercles were present in 7 females and 5 males. Conclusion: We concluded that choroidal tubercles are one of the most common forms of ocular TB. Detection of choroidal inflammation can prevent visual loss as the ocular lesion resolves fully with timely management.