Purpose: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is known to have varied manifestations in different ethnic groups. In order to analyze the clinical profile of VKH cases in the Indian population, we studied 87 consecutive cases of VKH disease treated in an uveitis clinic in South India between 1985 and 1996.
Methods: Retrospective analysis and review of charts of consecutive new VKH cases diagnosed in a referral clinic.
Results: VKH disease comprised 2.2% of all uveitis referrals. Extraocular symptoms or signs were seen in 64% of cases at the time of presentation. Most common was meningism (95.9%). However, subsequently all patients developed extraocular manifestations. Panuveitis (92%) was the commonest presentation. Systemic corticosteroid was the usual form of therapy (50.3%) followed by immunosuppressive therapy (39%); surgical treatment was needed in 8% of the cases. Complicated cataract (33%) and glaucoma (24%) were major complications. Final vision was between 6/60 and 6/18 in 88% of the cases and 6/18 and better in 15.4%; there was no improvement in 11% of the cases.
Conclusions: VKH disease occurs less frequently in India than in Japan and about as commonly as in the United States. Extraocular signs are far less common than in the Japanese population. Visual prognosis is good in patients presenting within 1 month of onset of symptoms. Immunosuppressive agents and vitreoretinal surgery are needed in advanced cases and in cases reported later. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2000;44:296-301