Ocular sarcoidosis : Diagnosis and therapy

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is amultisystem disorder of unknown cause. Ophthalmic involvement occurs in up to 60% of all patients, often as the first manifestation of sarcoidosis. Because of the heterogeneous clinical presentation diagnosis can be difficult; therefore the International Workshop on Ocular Sarcoidosis (IWOS 2009) diagnostic criteria based on clinical presentation, laboratory investigations and imaging techniques enable establishment of the diagnosis. Patients suffering from sarcoidosis should be treated by both ophthalmologists and internal physicians. Corticosteroids are commonly used for treatment, although in some patients the therapy has to be escalated by further immunosuppressants. Finally, agood cooperation between ophthalmologists and internal physicians results in amostly good prognosis.