Ocular syphilis--back again: understanding recent increases in the incidence of ocular syphilitic disease.

PURPOSE: The clinical findings and outcomes of 12 cases of luetic uveitis are reported.

METHODS

Review of clinical records.

RESULTS

Patients included 10 men and 2 women; 7 were homosexual, 9 HIV-positive. Six patients presented a medical history suggestive of syphilis. All patients presented with iritis and vitritis. Visual acuity improved in 11 patients after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Syphilis has reemerged in developed countries. This may be related to the post-AID S/HAART era, with a growing pool of HIV-positive men who oftenly practice unsafe sex. We underscore the importance of a high index of suspicion of ocular syphilis in patients with these characteristics.