Serum beta-2 microglobulin level in sympathetic ophthalmitis

Serum beta-2 microglobulin (beta 2-m) levels were measured in 12 patients with sympathetic ophthalmitis, 34 with neglected traumatic uveitis following penetrating injury and 36 healthy subjects by ELISA technique. There was no significant alteration of its level in patients with traumatic uveitis. However, its levels were significantly increased in patients with sympathetic ophthalmitis. They were high even in the early stage of the disease. Serum beta 2-m levels paralleled the severity of disease. It decreased significantly at the remission stage. Four patients came back with relapse of the condition and the level of serum beta 2-m was again found to be elevated in them. It is proposed that estimation of beta 2-m can be used as a diagnostic aid when the diagnosis of sympathetic ophthalmitis remains doubtful on clinical grounds. It is also suggested that a rise in serum beta 2-m in patients with traumatic uveitis following perforating injuries may point to the onset of sympathetic ophthalmitis. The extent of rise in its level may be considered a good parameter of the degree of severity of sympathetic ophthalmitis. It may also act as a useful tool to evaluate the drug efficacy in this disease and predict relapse.