Sympathetic ophthalmia

Sympathetic ophthalmia (also called sympathetic uveitis or bilateral granulomatous uveitis) is a rare but serious inflammatory eye disease. It happens when one eye is injured or has surgery, and then — sometimes weeks, months, or even years later — the other, uninjured eye also becomes inflamed. The immune system mistakenly attacks both eyes as if they were foreign tissue. The injured eye is called the 'exciting eye,' and the uninjured eye that later becomes affected is called the 'sympathizing eye.' The main symptoms include eye pain, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and floaters. In severe cases, it can lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness in both eyes if not treated quickly. The disease can affect people of any age, from children to older adults, and usually develops after a penetrating eye injury or eye surgery. Treatment focuses on calming the immune system using corticosteroids (like prednisone) and other immunosuppressive medicines. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are very important to protect vision. In some cases, the injured eye may need to be removed to prevent the condition from starting or worsening, though this is a difficult decision made carefully with a specialist.

Bring these to your next appointment

• Q1.How quickly do I need to start treatment, and what are the risks if we wait?,What are the chances that my vision can be preserved with treatment?,What are the side effects of the medicines you are recommending, and how will we monitor for them?,How long will I need to take immunosuppressive medicines?,Should the injured eye be removed, and what are the pros and cons of that decision?,How often do I need follow-up appointments, and what warning signs should make me come in sooner?,Are there clinical trials or newer treatments I should know about?

Common questions about Sympathetic ophthalmia

Related conditions

Other rare diseases commonly researched alongside Sympathetic ophthalmia.

• Panuveitis→
• Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease→