Swept-Source Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography of a Vascularized Syphilitic Iris Lesion

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2025 Oct;33(8):1834-1836. doi: 10.1080/09273948.2025.2514693. Epub 2025 Jun 11.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the appearance and resolution of a vascularized iris nodule in a case of ocular syphilis with swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography (SS AS-OCT) imaging.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 73-year-old male with a history of ocular syphilis presented with anterior uveitis of the left eye characterized by mutton fat keratic precipitates, anterior chamber cells, hypopyon mixed with hemorrhage, and a vascularized iris nodule. SS AS-OCT similarly showed keratic precipitates, anterior chamber cells, and an iris lesion with anterior hyperreflectivity and shadowing. Systemic workup revealed a new syphilis infection with rapid plasma reagin (RPR) titer of 1:512. After completing a 14-day course of intravenous penicillin and topical steroid treatment, there was resolution of these ocular findings.

Conclusion: Ocular syphilis should be considered on the differential diagnosis for vascularized iris lesions. Our case demonstrates SS-AS-OCT findings in this rare presentation of ocular syphilis.

Keywords: Iris nodule; optical coherence tomography; syphilis; uveitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anterior Eye Segment* / diagnostic imaging
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / diagnostic imaging
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / drug therapy
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial* / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Iris Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Iris Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Iris Diseases* / microbiology
  • Iris* / blood supply
  • Iris* / pathology
  • Male
  • Syphilis* / diagnosis
  • Syphilis* / drug therapy
  • Syphilis* / microbiology
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence* / methods

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents