Trabecular meshwork depigmentation in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

PURPOSE

Since some patients develop depigmentation of the trabecular meshwork in the course of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease, we examined the incidence of trabecular depigmentation and its correlation with other ocular findings and systemic symptoms.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of 53 Japanese patients diagnosed with VKH disease. The scores of trabecular and limbal pigmentation of all patients were recorded. We then examined the correlation between trabecular pigmentation and the presence of sunset glow fundus or skin lesions.

RESULTS

Trabecular pigmentation was significantly lower in the patients with sunset glow fundus than in those without it (P = 0.022), whereas limbal pigmentation showed no significance. However, there were no significant differences in trabecular and limbal pigmentation between the patients with and those without skin lesions. Furthermore, there was no correlation between trabecular and limbal pigmentation.

CONCLUSIONS

Depigmentation of the trabecular meshwork develops in some patients in the course of VKH disease. This depigmentation is significantly correlated with sunset glow fundus, but not with limbal depigmentation or skin lesions.