[Current research of sympathetic ophthalmia]

Sympathetic ophthalmia (SO) is a rare, bilateral, non-necrotizing, granulomatous uveitis that usually occurs after open ocular injury or intraocular surgery. The pathophysiology is not clearly understood, but generally SO is an immediate hypersensitivity mediated by T lymphocytes which are related to ocular tissue antigens. The main histopathological features are granulation tissues composed of lymphocytes, macrophages and multinucleated giant cells. The clinical manifestations are different from person to person, which might be mild or severe. Although it could be presented with anterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis and posterior uveitis, panuveitis is the most common sign. The ophthalmic examinations, such as fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography and B-scan, could be used to observe the patients' conditions and monitor the therapeutic effect. The main treatment of SO is medical therapy with corticosteroids, immunomodulators and biomodulators. Topical drug administration, including intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide and implantation of a fluocinolone acetonide implant, can be considered. There is controversy about whether enucleation or evisceration is more appropriate and when the procedure should be done. The prognosis of SO could be poor. SO is liable to deteriorate and may lead to blindness. This article reviews the etiology, mechanisms, histopathology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of SO. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53:778-782).