Ocular manifestations of relapsing polychondritis

The clinical, ultrasonographic, fluorescein angiographic, and immunological features of a case of relapsing polychondritis in a 46-year-old female are described. Acute bilateral sclerouveitis with multiple retinal pigment epithelial defects and sensory retinal detachment were present on initial examination. Antibodies to type II collagen were present in serum samples taken from the patient during the acute and convalescent phase of the disease. A possible relationship of this disorder to the phylogenetic development of the eye is discussed.