Acute chorioretinitis. Fundoscopy image of the retina of the right eye of a patient with acute chorioretinitis. The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Chorioretinitis is an inflammatory and exudative (yellow fatty deposits) condition of the choroid and the retina. This condition has been caused by an infection with the cytomegalovirus. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a major cause of disease in vulnerable patients such as the immunocompromised. In this case, the patient has acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Several haemorrhages (sites of bleeding) are also seen. An acute condition (as opposed to a chronic one) is one with a sudden onset, usually of a relatively short duration.