32 cases of sympathetic ophthalmia. A retrospective study at the National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Md., from 1982 to 1992.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between visual outcome and the clinical management of patients with sympathetic ophthalmia.

METHODS

Thirty-two patients with sympathetic ophthalmia who were seen at the National Eye Institute, Bethesda, Md, between 1982 and 1992, were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

There were equal numbers of males and females. Sympathetic ophthalmia occurred after trauma in 23 patients and surgery in nine patients. Sixteen of the 32 patients had a final visual acuity of 20/40 or better; 10 patients had a visual acuity worse than 20/200. Good visual outcome was associated with early and aggressive treatment with corticosteroids, sometimes in combination with other immunosuppressive agents. Poor visual acuity was associated with glaucoma, chorioretinal scars in the macula, and persistent uncontrolled inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Prompt and aggressive use of antiinflammatory therapy can improve the visual outcome of patients with sympathetic ophthalmia.