Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis revisited.

Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis is an unusual form of uveitis of unknown aetiology that continues to be poorly understood and underdiagnosed. We present the clinical features observed in 77 patients (89 eyes) seen in the Uveitis Clinic at Leicester Royal Infirmary over a 2-year period. The most common presenting symptom was visual deterioration (96.1%) rather than pain (18.2%). Only 50.6% were diagnosed as Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis at presentation. At review, clinical heterochromic iridum was observed in 70.1% and 15.6% were bilateral. Lens opacities were seen in 73.0%, 40.4% (of the total) having undergone cataract surgery. Glaucoma was diagnosed in 15.7% at presentation and in 21.3% at review, by which time 9.0% (of the total) had required filtration surgery. It is important that Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis is diagnosed correctly since, although many patients do not require active treatment, all should be screened at regular intervals for glaucoma.