Spectrum and visual outcomes of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease in Argentina.
OBJECTIVE
To review all cases of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease in an Inflammatory Eye Disease Service in Argentina and to describe the clinical profile and outcomes of treatment.


METHODS
The records from patients with VKH disease between January 1980 and December 2008 were retrospectively analyzed for clinical profile, complications, and treatment. Patients were classified according to their initial treatment in group 1: high corticosteroid dose [≥1 mg/(kg·d)] within 2wk of illness onset; group 2: high corticosteroid dose, 2 to 4wk of onset and group 3: patients who received the high dose after 1mo of illness onset, patients who received lower oral doses than 1 mg/(kg·d) without regarding the time of beginning of the disease.


RESULTS
A total of 210 eyes of 105 patients were included. The mean age at presentation was 32.6±13y (range: 10-74y), and 86.7% were female. The mean duration of follow up was 144±96.6mo. Patients in the group 1 had significantly higher visual acuity than the other groups (P<0.0001), none had (loss of, or no) light perception at the end of follow up, whereas 24.7% patients in group 3 ended in light perception (P<0.004).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with early high dose corticosteroid treatment have better visual acuity and fewer complications. Proper timing in referral and treatment is critical for better visual outcome in VKH disease.
Department of Ophthalmology, Inflammatory Eye Diseases Service, Hospital de Clínicas Jose de San Martin, Buenos Aires C1120AAR, Argentina.
Verónica E
VE
Giordano
Department of Ophthalmology, Inflammatory Eye Diseases Service, Hospital de Clínicas Jose de San Martin, Buenos Aires C1120AAR, Argentina.
Ariel
A
Schlaen
Department of Ophthalmology, Oculoplastic Service, Association for the Prevention of Blindness in Mexico, Vicente García Torres 46, San Lucas 04030, Coyoacán, Mexico City, Mexico.
Martín J
MJ
Guzmán-Sánchez
Department of Ophthalmology, Inflammatory Eye Diseases Service, Hospital de Clínicas Jose de San Martin, Buenos Aires C1120AAR, Argentina.
Cristobal
C
Couto
Argentine population; Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease; clinical spectrum; treatment