Sympathetic ophthalmia associated with cyclitis: case report

We present a case of sympathetic ophthalmia. A 41-year-old man suffered a penetrating injury to his right eye. Six weeks after the injury he complained of photophobia and redness in his left eye. Visual acuity without correction was: right eye (RE), no light perception; and left eye (LE), 1.0. Ocular examination of the left eye revealed a shallow anterior chamber and mildly elevated intraocular pressure (25 mmHg). An initial diagnosis of narrow angle glaucoma was made and antiglaucomatous agents were prescribed. One month after diagnosis the vision in his left eye suddenly dropped to 0.04. Ocular examination showed annular serous retinal detachment and scattered yellow-white lesions (Dalen-Fuchs Nodules). Under the diagnosis of sympathetic ophthalmia, high dose intravenous corticosteroid (methylprednisolone, 200 mg daily) and subtenon dexamethasone (4 mg/0.8 cc) were used. Ten days after beginning treatment the vision improved to 0.1 but the retinal detachment was not sealed completely. Oral prednisolone (100 mg daily) and cyclosporine (125 mg bid) therapy replaced the intravenous corticosteroids. The serum level of Cyclosporine was 118 ng/ml. After 3 months the vision improved to 0.6 and the retinal detachment subsided. Renal function and hematocrit status were monitored closely and no abnormal conditions were noted.