Sympathetic Ophthalmia; Clinical Findings, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Abstract

Sympathetic ophthalmia is a rare, bilateral, recurrent, granulomatous panuveitis following penetrating ocular trauma or surgery. Although the etiology is not well understood, it is thought that there is an autoimmune reaction against ocular antigens that are exposed from the inciting eye. Diagnosis is based on history and clinical findings. As well as the primary site of inflammation in the choroid, posterior segment findings such as papillitis, vitritis, exudative retinal detachment, increased choroidal thickness, choroidal infiltrations, and Dalen-Fuchs nodules and granulomatous anterior uveitis especially in chronic recurrent phase are the most important clinical features of the disease. Prompt and effective treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents is very important in achieving good visual results. The role of enucleation in the prevention and prognosis of the disease is controversial.