Sympathetic ophthalmia

Symathetic Ophthalmia

• Uveitis of both eyes, following trauma to one eye
  • Due to autoimmune inflammatory response after introduction of immune system to ocular antigens during trauma
  • Can develop within days to years of initial trauma
  • Affects 0.03 per 100,000 persons per year
• Symptoms
  • Floaters
  • Loss of accommodation
  • Pain, photophobia
• Prevention
  • Because it is so rare, enucleation often not done immediately, if chance of regaining function
• Treatment
  • Immunosuppressive therapy
  • Mild: local corticosteroids and pupillary dilators
  • Severe: Systemic steroids, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide
  • Enucleation can reduce symptoms even after the condition has developed