Intraocular manifestations of systemic sarcoidosis

The incidence of intraocular manifestations was studied in 159 patients with systemic sarcoidosis. Eighty-seven patients (54.7%) who presented ocular lesions suggestive of sarcoidosis as an initial manifestation were diagnosed after a systemic survey. Seventy-two patients (45.3%) had chest signs or symptoms and were referred to ophthalmic examination during a diagnostic survey. Of the 159 patients, 126 (79.2%) showed intraocular involvements at diagnosis. In these patients with ocular involvements, iritis was the most frequent lesion, being seen in 74.7%. Gonioscopic examinations revealed trabecular nodules and tent-like peripheral anterior synechia in 61.2 and 54.5% of the patients respectively. Retinal perivasculitis and spotty retinochoroidal exudates were seen in 67.3 and 53.9% of the patients respectively. The data indicated the presence of intraocular lesions in a significant number of patients with sarcoidosis. These findings emphasize that all patients with systemic sarcoidosis need a thorough eye examination. This ocular examination should include gonioscopy.