Sympathetic Ophthalmia (Sympathetic Inflammation)

Sympathetic ophthalmia is a disease of the second eye that occurs as a result of chronic traumatic iridocyclitis of the first eye.

Etiology: penetrating injury to the other eye, complicated by sluggish iridocyclitis, less commonly, surgical intervention on the eyeball or perforated corneal ulcer.

Pathogenesis: the main role in inflammation of the second eye is attributed to autoimmune reactions and the action of tissue antigens of the damaged eye.

Symptoms occur at different times - from 12-14 days to several months and even years after injury to the first eye.

With severe serous or serous-fibrinous iridocyclitis, lacrimation, photophobia, blepharospasm, mixed injection of the eyeball, changes in the refractive media and retina, and decreased vision appear.

Treatment includes local corticosteroids, resorption therapy, antibiotics, and sulfonamides. Prednisolone and dexamethasone are prescribed internally.

The prognosis is serious and depends on the timeliness of treatment.

Prevention: timely treatment of penetrating eye wounds, enucleation for extensive damage in the first 14 days.