Surgical Intervention in Inciting Eyes of Patients with Sympathetic Ophthalmia: A Case Series and Review of Literature.

PURPOSE: To analyze the outcomes of surgical procedures on inciting eye of patients with Sympathetic ophthalmia (SO).

METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with SO who underwent surgical procedures on inciting eyes between January 2000 and December 2015. Outcome measures included flare up of inflammation in either eye and change in visual acuity in the inciting eye.

RESULTS: Four SO patients underwent surgeries in their inciting eyes after adequate control of inflammation. Surgical procedures included penetrating keratoplasty, glaucoma drainage device implantation, pars plana vitrectomy, and silicon oil removal. Keratoplasty, glaucoma surgery, and silicon oil removal were well tolerated, with no flare up of disease. The patient who underwent pars plana vitrectomy, however, had a poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: Surgical intervention in inciting eyes of patients with SO, after being adequately treated with oral steroids and immunosuppression, is a viable option for improving anatomic and functional outcomes in these eyes.