32 Cases of Sympathetic Ophthalmia

TLDR

Sympathetic ophthalmia followed trauma in 23 patients and surgery in nine patients. The study examined how visual outcomes in sympathetic ophthalmia patients relate to their clinical management. A retrospective review of 32 patients seen at the National Eye Institute from 1982 to 1992, with equal numbers of males and females, was conducted. Sixteen of 32 patients achieved 20/40 or better vision, while 10 had vision worse than 20/200; early aggressive corticosteroid therapy, sometimes with other immunosuppressives, was linked to better outcomes, whereas glaucoma, macular scarring, and uncontrolled inflammation predicted poorer vision, indicating that prompt anti‑inflammatory treatment can improve results.

Abstract

To examine the relationship between visual outcome and the clinical management of patients with sympathetic ophthalmia.Thirty-two patients with sympathetic ophthalmia who were seen at the National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Md, between 1982 and 1992, were retrospectively reviewed.There were equal numbers of males and females. Sympathetic ophthalmia occurred after trauma in 23 patients and surgery in nine patients. Sixteen of the 32 patients had a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better; 10 patients had a visual acuity worse than 20/200. Good visual outcome was associated with early and aggressive treatment with corticosteroids, sometimes in combination with other immunosuppressive agents. Poor visual acuity was associated with glaucoma, chorioretinal scars in the macula, and persistent uncontrolled inflammation.Prompt and aggressive use of antiinflammatory therapy can improve the visual outcome of patients with sympathetic ophthalmia.