[Ocular syphilis: alert for clinicians and ophthalmologists]

Syphilis is an infectious disease caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum. It can cause ocular compromise at any stage, in immunocompetent or immunocompromised patients. Even though the ocular form is not frequent, due to the increase in the incidence of syphilis in recent years, it is mandatory to take it into consideration as a differential diagnosis in visual disorders. The most common clinical presentation is uveitis. Diagnosis is based on the presence of clinical signs and symptoms consistent with ophthalmologic involvement in a patient with syphilis. The CSF study should be performed on a clinical basis, to rule out concomitant neurological involvement. We present 5 cases of ocular syphilis, its clinical manifestations, treatment and evolution.