However, numerous differences do occur in fundus appearance, the clinical course of the diseases, and electrophysiology. Suspected etiology
One cause of the White Dot Syndromes as suggested by Gass involves viral or infectious agents. Specifically pertaining to the AZOOR complex, Gass has postulated that a virus may enter the retina at the optic head and the infection may spread from one photoreceptor to another. Some unexplained features include the development of more than one disease in the same patient and the majority of cases occurring in females. According to Beckers common genetic hypothesis, "unlike mendelian genetic disorders, common autoimmune and inflammatory diseases arise from combinatorial interactions of common non-disease specific loci, disease specific loci, and specific environmental triggers." An important aspect of this hypothesis pertains to the existence of common non-disease genes that predispose patients to autoimmune diseases. Jampol and Becker insinuate that common susceptibility genes are present in patients affected by white dot syndromes. The presence of environmental triggers, such as viral infections, immunizations, and stress, and interactions with other genes contribute to the development of the white dot syndromes. Additionally, Jampol and Becker hypothesize that the predisposing genetic loci can be identified.Gass points to a lack of evidence in support of the Becker theory. Instead, Gass highlights that although evidence indicates that patients with acute zonal occult outer retinopathy have a greater chance of developing autoimmune diseases, this does not mean that the complex of disorders are autoimmune diseases.
This is supported by the difficulty in detecting "retinal autoantibodies" in patients with acute zonal occult outer retinopathy.Two other diseases which also present with white dots on the fundus are retinitis punctata albescens and fundus albipunctatus. These diseases are not white dot syndromes, but have much more defined etiology. Retinitis punctata albescens is caused by mutations in RLBP1, the gene for retinaldehyde binding protein 1. In comparison, fundus albipunctatus is caused by mutations in RDH5 gene for an 11-cis-RDH in retinal pigment epithelium cells. See also
Ophthalmology
Retina
Retinal pigment epithelium

References
External links
PIC Society, a UK based support group and discussion forum for people with a diagnosis of punctate inner choroidopathy
Birdshot Uveitis Society, a UK based support group and discussion forum for people with a diagnosis of birdshot chorioretinopathy