The Relationship of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada Syndrome to Ocular Hypertension and Glaucoma

ABSTRACT

Purpose: Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) syndrome is a systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease with associated ophthalmic pathology. Glaucoma has been reported in patients with VKH. The purpose of this report is to examine the frequency and types of glaucoma associated with VKH.

Methods: This was a retrospective case series. Electronic medical records of patients with VKH were reviewed from two medical centers: Duke University and the University of North Carolina.

Results: Of 45 eyes with VKH, 28 (62%) developed ocular hypertension (OHT) or glaucoma. In the patients with VKH and OHT/glaucoma, 18/28 (64%) had posterior synechiae and/or peripheral anterior synechiae.

Conclusions: We have shown a high prevalence of OHT and glaucoma in eyes with VKH. Furthermore, in addition to secondary open angle from corticosteroid treatment and uveitis, secondary angle closure resulting from posterior synechiae, frequently associated with iris bombé configuration, is an important cause of glaucoma in VKH eyes.

Keywords:

• Angle closure glaucoma
• peripheral anterior synechiae
• posterior synechiae
• steroid induced glaucoma
• Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Dr Jaffe has consulted for Abbvie, Inc. The Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, and Duke University Eye Center are recipients of unrestricted grants from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. (New York, NY). The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.