Ocular manifestations of relapsing polychondritis. Three case histories.

Relapsing polychondritis is a rare, presumably inflammatory autoimmune disorder affecting cartilagenous structures throughout the body. The ears, nose, joints, eyes and the respiratory tract are most frequently involved. The main ocular manifestations are episcleritis and scleritis, conjunctivitis, iridocyclitis and chorioretinitis, cataract and corneal infiltrates and melting. Extraocular signs and symptoms often are indicative of the diagnosis. Therapy includes systemic steroids, immunosuppressive drugs and dapsone. Three case histories are reported and the literature of ocular manifestations of relapsing polychondritis is reviewed.