Clinical characteristics of Fuchs’ Heterochromic Iridocyclitis in a tertiary medical center in Makkah region of Saudi Arabia: A retrospective study

Abstract

To characterize the clinical features of Fuchs’ Heterochromic Iridocyclitis in a Saudi population. Retrospective analysis of the records of the consecutive patients presented to the uveitis clinic, Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between 2001and 2011. We enrolled 21 eyes of 19 patients with the diagnosis of Fuch’s Heterochromic Iridocyclitis who completed a minimum of 6 months follow up. The mean follow up was 25 ± 13.35 (range 6–48) months. Males predominated (13/19, 68.3%). Majority (17/19, 89.5%) had unilateral presentation. The age at presentation was 36.2 ± 11 (range 18–59) years. 31.6% (6/19) showed heterochromia. All patients (100%) showed fine stellate filamentary keratic precipitates and majority (57.9%) showed mild (<1/2 cells and <1/2 flare) anterior chamber inflammation. Iris atrophy was seen in majority (15/19, 78.9%) of patients. All (100%) showed fine vitreous cells and vitreous debris. In majority of patients (15/19, 78.9%) Iris nodules were absent. Koeppe nodules were seen in 15.8% (3/19) patients. Peripheral anterior synechiae was noted in 3 (15.8%) patients and 2 of them had elevated intraocular pressure which responded to anti glaucoma treatment. All patients had developed cataracts. Best corrected visual acuity was better than 0.5 in 12/19 (63.2%) of patients at the final follow up. Our patients had less heterochromia and Iris nodules. Subtle iris atrophy with fine keratic precipitates and very mild anterior chamber inflammation (<1/2 cells, <1/2 flare) along with fine vitreous cells and debris could lead to the diagnosis of Fuch’s Heterochromic Iridocyclitis in our population.