title: Fuchs' Heterochromic Iridocyclitis in an Italian Tertiary Referral Centre: Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Prognosis.
abstract: Purpose. To study epidemiology, clinical findings and visual prognosis of patients with Fuchs' Heterochromic Iridocyclitis (FHI).Methods. A retrospective analysis was performed on 158 patients with FHI. Thirty-five patients were observed only once; the remaining 123 had a mean follow-up of 30.7 months (50 of them had a mean follow-up of 63.5 months) and in those we assessed complications, medical and surgical treatment, and long-term visual prognosis.Results. Average age at uveitis diagnosis was 27.2 years and 18.3% of patients were children. Blurred vision (54.5%) and floaters (40.5%) were the most frequent presenting symptoms. Small to medium-sized keratic precipitates (95.6%), iris atrophy (86.8%), and vitreous opacities (91.2%) were the most common signs; the prevalence of cataract and IOP increase was 63.5% and 20.1%, respectively, and their incidence was 0.1 and 0.06 eye/year. Significant risk factor for visual loss was IOP increase at presentation (p= 0.02). At final examination 98% of the eye had a visual acuity ≥ 0.6, and topical (p< 0.001) and systemic (p< 0.001) corticosteroids therapy were used less frequently than before referral.Conclusions. FHI has a good visual prognosis, despite the significant incidence of cataract and glaucoma. A correct and prompt diagnosis might avoid unnecessary therapies and provide excellent visual outcomes.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Massimo
authors: 0000-0003-0321-1455
authors: M
authors: Accorinti
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Spinucci
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Maria Pia
authors: MP
authors: Pirraglia
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Simone
authors: S
authors: Bruschi
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Francesca Romana
authors: FR
authors: Pesci
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors: Ludovico
authors: L
authors: Iannetti