Longitudinal quantification of aqueous flare and cells in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.
OBJECTIVE
To quantitatively evaluate the changes of aqueous flare and cells in eyes with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Fang
W
W
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Xianlie Road 54, Guangzhou 510060, PR China.
Zhou
H
H
Yang
P
P
Huang
X
X
Wang
L
L
Kijlstra
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000166:cytology*; D018916:Blood-Aqueous Barrier; D002452:Cell Count; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D014607:Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents