Related Experiment Videos
Scleral nodule associated with sarcoidosis
Faqir A Qazi1, Jennifer E Thorne, Douglas A Jabs
1Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|October 1, 2003
Summary
An unusual inflammatory scleral nodule, a rare eye condition, was successfully treated with oral prednisone. This case highlights the association between systemic sarcoidosis and scleral disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Rheumatology
- Systemic Inflammatory Diseases
Background:
- Scleral nodules can present as painful, red, elevated lesions.
- Ocular manifestations of sarcoidosis are diverse, but scleral involvement is uncommon.
- Initial treatments with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and topical corticosteroids were ineffective.
Observation:
- A patient presented with a solitary, inflamed scleral nodule on the left eye.
- Laboratory tests revealed elevated liver function tests, prompting further investigation.
- A liver biopsy confirmed granulomatous hepatitis, indicative of sarcoidosis.
Findings:
- Systemic sarcoidosis was diagnosed as the underlying cause of the scleral nodule.
- Treatment with oral prednisone led to the resolution of both the hepatitis and the scleral nodule.
- The patient remained recurrence-free during a 7-month follow-up period.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering systemic sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory scleral nodules.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate systemic treatment can effectively manage ocular manifestations of sarcoidosis.
- Ophthalmologists should be aware of the potential link between sarcoidosis and scleral inflammation.