Clinical features and visual outcomes of ocular sarcoidosis at a tertiary referral center in Tokyo

Background To analyze clinical features, treatment, complications, and visual outcomes of ocular sarcoidosis at a tertiary center in Tokyo. Methods Clinical records of 53 patients with ocular sarcoidosis (definite or presumed) presenting between 2013 and 2018 to the Kyorin Eye Center were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis was based on the revised criteria of the International Workshop on Ocular Sarcoidosis. Results Definite (biopsy-proven) disease was present in 87% of patients and presumed disease in 13%. The mean age at presentation was 58 years (13-81 years) and 68% were women. The mean follow-up was 34 months (6-70 months). Forty-five patients (85%) had panuveitis, and the most common ocular clinical sign suggestive of ocular sarcoidosis was bilaterality (92%). Ocular complications were observed in 93 eyes (85%), most commonly cataract (73%), epiretinal membrane (24%), macular edema (24%) and glaucoma (19%). Thirty-one eyes (30%) underwent cataract surgery and 12 eyes (12%) underwent pars plana vitrectomy. Ten patients (19%) received systemic corticosteroid therapy and 33 eyes (32%) received periocular corticosteroid injections. The best-corrected visual acuity was 1.0 or better in 51% of eyes at presentation, 57% at 6 months, 50% at 12 months, and 58% at 36 months. Conclusions The majority of ocular sarcoidosis patients were women, had bilateral disease and panuveitis involvement. Most eyes maintained good visual acuity, although surgical interventions for cataract and epiretinal membrane were common.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the clinical features, treatment, complications, and visual outcomes of ocular sarcoidosis in a tertiary center in Tokyo. The majority of patients were women with bilateral disease and panuveitis involvement. Most eyes maintained good visual acuity, although surgical interventions for cataract and epiretinal membrane were common.