Clinical Characteristics of Primary Vitreoretinal Lymphoma in an Indian Population.

PURPOSE: Primary vitreoretinal lymphomas (PVRL) pose a major diagnostic challenge, especially in the countries with a high prevalence of infectious variety of uveitis. The present study aims to report the clinical characteristics and diagnostic difficulties in patients with PVRL in an Indian Population.

METHODS

Retrospective chart reviews of 12 patients with a diagnosis of PVRL.

RESULTS

The study included 6 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 55.66 ± 8.76 years. All had bilateral disease. The clinical signs included anterior uveitis (12 eyes; 50.0%); vitritis (18 eyes; 75%); vitreous clumps (16 eyes; 66.6%); subretinal deposits (11 eyes; 45.8%); retinal vasculitis (6 eyes; 25%); and optic disc swelling (2 eyes; 8.3%). The most commonly mistaken diagnosis was intraocular tuberculosis. The intraocular lesions responded to multiple intravitreal methotrexate injections.

CONCLUSIONS

PVRL in India was likely to be mistaken for an infectious variety of uveitis. A high index of suspicion and thorough clinical examination is necessary to make the diagnosis.