Severe Sympathetic Ophthalmia Following Evisceration of a Perforated Staphylomatous Globe

Abstract

Sympathetic ophthalmia (SO) is a rare bilateral panuveitis that follows a surgical or penetrating injury to one eye. The use of systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs has greatly improved the outcome of this potentially blinding condition. It may, however, rarely run an aggressive course despite medical treatment with grave consequences. Herein, we report a severe case of SO in a 64-year-old man induced by the spontaneous perforation of a staphylomatous left eye. He presented with left panophthalmitis following a spontaneous perforation of the globe, and subsequently he had an evisceration. He, however, presented 18 days later with features of SO in the right eye. He was placed on systemic corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy but failed to respond to treatment and the eye eventually became phthisical.