The spectrum of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease in South India

Int Ophthalmol. 2007 Apr-Jun;27(2-3):131-6. doi: 10.1007/s10792-007-9046-9. Epub 2007 Feb 23.

Abstract

Purpose: To report the clinical spectrum of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease in a tertiary care center in South India.

Methods: Medical records of patients diagnosed with VKH disease who presented between January 1995 and December 2003, with a minimum follow-up of one year were reviewed.

Results: Of the 45 patients, 38 (84.44%) were female. The median age was 37 years (SD +/- 14.23) and median duration of symptoms was 30 days (range 1 day to 1 year). 75.5% (34/45) presented with bilateral anterior uveitis. Posterior segment presentation included disc edema (31/45), bilateral serous retinal detachments (26/45), vitritis (17/45) and sunset glow (8/45). Extra ocular manifestations were seen in only 4/45 (tinnitus: 2, meningismus: 1, poliosis: 1). 97.7% (44/45) received oral Prednisolone (1 mg/kg body weight) for a median duration of 14 months. 69% (31/45) received additional three pulses of intravenous methylprednisolone and 22% (10/45) received a single infusion of intravenous Cyclophosphamide. One patient received intravitreal triamcinolone injection 53.33% (24/45) were treated with additional immunosuppressants. At the first visit, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was > or =20/40 in 23 eyes (25.55%) and < or =20/400 in 37 eyes (41.11%). At one year, 61 eyes (67.77%) achieved BCVA of > or =20/40 while 12 eyes (13.33%) had BCVA < or =20/400. Complicated cataract, glaucoma and macular scar were the major complications encountered.

Conclusions: Majority of patients with ocular VKH presented with anterior uveitis and serous retinal detachments and disc edema. Extra-ocular signs are rare in our patients. Visual prognosis is good with treatment with adequate long-term corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • India / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retina / diagnostic imaging
  • Retina / pathology
  • Sex Distribution
  • Ultrasonography
  • Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Immunosuppressive Agents