Longitudinal quantification of aqueous flare and cells in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 92; no. 2; p. 182
• Main Authors: Fang, W, Zhou, H, Yang, P, Huang, X, Wang, L, Kijlstra, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-02-2008
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aqueous Humor - cytology; Blood-Aqueous Barrier; Cell Count; Child; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Recurrence; Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome - drug therapy; Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome - pathology; Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome - physiopathology
• ISSN: 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2007.128967

To quantitatively evaluate the changes of aqueous flare and cells in eyes with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease.
This prospective study included 35 initial-onset VKH patients (70 eyes) and 46 recurrent VKH patients (92 eyes) following immunotherapy. Aqueous flare and cells were quantified using the laser flare-cell meter before treatment, 2 weeks, 1, 3, 6 and 9 months after treatment.
Before treatment, mean aqueous flare (ph/ms) in initial-onset and recurrent VKH eyes were 8.1 (SD 4.1) vs 43.6 (20.7) (p = 0.000). Following treatment, recurrent VKH eyes showed a significantly higher flare value than initial-onset VKH eyes at 2 weeks, 1, 3 and 6 months. Prior to treatment, mean cell counts (cells/0.5 mm3) in initial-onset and recurrent VKH eyes were 2.0 (1.9) vs 39.4 (23.1) (p = 0.000). Following treatment, recurrent VKH eyes showed significantly higher cell counts than initial-onset VKH eyes at 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months.
Our study shows that recurrent VKH patients displayed a more striking and long-lasting breakdown of the BAB and more severe inflammation than initial-onset VKH patients. Our study also indicates that the disruption of BAB lasted longer than aqueous cells either in initial-onset or in recurrent VKH patients.