Serpiginous choroiditis is an eye condition characterised by inflammation at the back of the eyes, in the choroid and retinal pigment epithelium layers.

• Choroid is found between the sclera (white part of the eyes) and the retina (inner layer of nerve tissues at the back of the eye). The choroid layer is rich in tiny blood vessels called choriocapillaris that provide oxygen and nutrients to the outer retina.
• Retinal pigment epithelium is the outermost layer of the retina. It prevents light damage by absorbing extra light and has antioxidant properties.

The inflammation can cause grey-white or yellow lesions in the eyes, and often spread in a snake-like (serpiginous) pattern. These lesions may resolve, or cause scarring which can affect vision and lead to vision loss over time. Individuals usually do not experience any symptoms until the retina is damaged.

Serpiginous choroiditis is more common in males than females, and symptoms usually begin around middle age.

Below on this page is some information about this condition as well as links to useful resources for Australians living with a rare disease.

Synonyms: Geographic helicoid peripapillary choroidopathy, serpiginous choroidal dystrophy.

Universal rare disease classifications provide a common language for recording, reporting and monitoring diseases. Please visit the Rare Disease Classifications page for more information about these internationally recognised classifications.

ORPHA:35686 Serpiginous choroiditis

ICD-11: 9B65.0 Noninfectious posterior uveitis

American Journal of Ophthalmology: Classification Criteria for Serpiginous Choroiditis (2021)

Rare diseases typically display a high level of symptom complexity. There is often a wide range of symptoms and the symptoms may vary between individuals in terms of its presentation, severity, duration and impact.

Please speak to your medical team to learn more about the symptoms of this condition.

Rare diseases are often serious and progressive, exhibiting a high degree of symptom complexity, leading to significant disability. Majority of the estimated two million Australians living with a rare disease meet the Australian Government’s definition for disability (in accordance to the Australian Public Service Commission and Australian Bureau of Statistics), and many experience severe and permanent disability impacts. If you or someone you care for is experiencing disability-related impacts from a rare condition, please speak with a health or disability professional for advice. Information about relevant disability support can be found at the RARE Portal’s Disability Support Information page.

The cause of serpiginous choroiditis is not well understood.

A timely diagnosis is critical for better patient outcomes, the provision of the best possible care and treatment options, access to services and support, increased reproductive confidence and the ability to participate in clinical trials.

Please speak to your medical team to learn more about the available diagnostic pathways for this condition.

Please speak to your medical team to learn more about the possible treatment or management options for your condition. Treatment will depend on an individual’s specific condition and symptoms. It is also important to stay connected to your medical team so that you can be made aware of any upcoming clinical trial opportunities. For many rare diseases, treatment options may be limited. Participation in a clinical trial may provide access to new or emerging therapies.

Healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of serpiginous choroiditis may include general practitioners (GP) and ophthalmologists. The need for different healthcare professionals may change over a person’s lifetime and extend beyond those listed here.

Clinical care for rare diseases often involves a multidisciplinary team of medical, care and support professionals. Please note that the information provided here is as a guide and that RVA does not necessarily monitor or endorse specific clinics or health experts.

This may not be applicable to all rare diseases but for many, palliative care services may be relevant and useful. Palliative care services are available for people (adults, children and their families) living with a life-limiting illness and is not only for end-of-life care. It can also help at any stage of illness from diagnosis onwards, and will look different for different people. Palliative care services provide assistance, support, resources and tools to help people manage their illness and the symptoms, ease pain, and improve comfort and quality of life. If this is relevant to you and you wish to find out more information about palliative care and how it can help you, please visit:

• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Palliative care Overview
• Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Palliative care
• Palliative Care Australia

We are not aware of any clinical care guidelines for serpiginous choroiditis in Australia. If you know of any relevant care guidelines, please let us know via the Contribute page.

The following guidance is available from international experts outside Australia; however, there may be information that is not relevant or applicable to the Australian context, and may not be up to date:

Evidence and Consensus-Based Imaging Guidelines in Serpiginous Choroiditis—Multimodal Imaging in Uveitis (MUV) Task Force Report 4 developed by the International Uveitis Study Group MUV Working Group, published in 2025.

Individuals living with rare diseases may have complex medical issues and disabilities, which are not always visible. It is often useful to refer to their medical history as well as personal information such as a medical card, doctor’s letter, or if available, a rare disease passport, for relevant information.

In addition, individuals, their parents, families and carers often develop extensive expertise on their specific rare disease. It is important to recognise that they can contribute valuable knowledge about their rare condition. Rare diseases often impact individuals differently, so it’s important to consider a person’s lived experience.

If you know of any relevant emergency management guidelines or information relevant to emergency care, please let us know via the Contribute page.

We are not aware of any rare disease organisations for serpiginous choroiditis in Australia or internationally. If you know of any rare disease organisation, please let us know via the Contribute page. If you are interested in starting an Australian organisation, please see Engaged, Ethical and Effective: A Guide for Rare Disease Organisation Leaders in Australia.

Please note that RVA does not monitor or endorse each group/organisation’s operational governance and activities. When engaging with a group, please consider the information on the RARE Portal’s Finding Helpful Peer and Community Supports page.

Serpiginous choroiditis varies between individuals, and each person’s experience is unique.

If you would like to share your personal story with RVA, please visit the Rare Voices Australia: Share Your Story page. RVA will consider your story for publishing on our website and inclusion on the RARE Portal.

For information on available government and social services that provide support for individuals with a rare disease, please visit the National and State Services pages.

People living with a rare disease often face unique challenges such as diagnostic delays, misdiagnoses, limited treatment options, and limited access to rare disease specialists and support. These challenges may impact people’s emotional wellbeing and quality of life. Many find it helpful to seek mental health and wellbeing support to cope with ongoing stress and uncertainty. Connecting with people who have shared experiences through a support group may also be helpful. Information about relevant mental health and wellbeing support can be found at:

• Mental Health and Wellbeing Support for Australians Living with a Rare Disease
• The National and State Services pages underneath the ‘Mental Health’ sections listed

Further information on serpiginous choroiditis can be found at:

• Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center: Serpiginous choroiditis
• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD): Choroiditis, Serpiginous
• Healthdirect Australia: Uveitis

Orphanet: Serpiginous choroiditis

This page has been developed by Rare Voices Australia (RVA)’s RARE Portal team.

If you are aware of any additional information that may benefit stakeholders with an interest in this page, or if you notice any broken links or inaccurate information, please let us know via the Contribute page.