Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease in Thailand.

PURPOSE

To determine clinical characteristics and rate of ocular complications in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH).

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective review of 48 consecutive patients (92 affected eyes) diagnosed with VKH. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, treatment modalities, and ocular complications were registered.

RESULTS

VKH constituted approximately 10% of all new encounters of uveitis patients. Ocular complications developed in 49/92 (53%) eyes. The most frequent complication was cataract (45%), followed by glaucoma (29%). The presence of ocular complications was not associated with stage of the disease at presentation (p = .654) or the treatment modalities (p = .261). Recurrent inflammation developed in 13% and was not associated with initial intravenous corticosteroids or use of immunosuppressive drugs (p = .614 and p = 1.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Cataract and glaucoma represented the common ocular complications of VKH. Recurrences developed solely in 13% of patients and were not associated with a specific treatment regimen but with an early withdrawal of systemic corticosteroids.