Ocular manifestations in sarcoidosis

Objective: The ophthalmic examination of patients with diagnosed systemic sarcoidosis.

Methods: 33 patients (17 women, 16 men), aged 22-60 years had ophthalmic examination (visual acuity, anterior and posterior segment evaluation, applanation tonometry). In 8 patients repeated examination was performed (duration of observation: 2-31 months).

Results: In 27 patients no characteristic features of ocular sarcoidosis were found. In 6 persons (18.2%) variety of ocular lesions was recognized (nodular infiltrations of the eyelids, chronic uveal inflammation, signs of anterior and posterior uveitis in the past, optic disc oedema). In 3 cases ocular lesions preceded the signs of systemic sarcoidosis. This emphasizes the importance of the routine ophthalmic examination of patients with suspected or proven sarcoidosis.