There is controversy regarding the origin of the pigment-containing epithelioid cells in the uvea of eyes with sympathetic ophthalmia. The results of the present immunocytochemical study demonstrating the presence of muramidase and S-100 protein in these cells, and the binding of peanut lectin by the pigment-containing cells support the interpretation that the pigment-containing epithelioid cells and giant cells are of monocytic (histiocytic) origin. Our study also emphasizes the diverse functional capacity of these epithelioid cells.