Sympathetic ophthalmia
| Classification according to ICD-10 | |
|---|---|
| H44.1 | Other endophthalmitis / (sympathetic uveitis) |
| ICD-10 online (WHO version 2019) | |
When sympathetic ophthalmia (Latin ophthalmia sympathica called), formerly also "sympathetic eye disease," it is probably an autoimmune disease that affects the eyes and by traumatic (more often: several times) violation of the choroid of the eye or after surgery on the eye with involvement of the uvea can occur. The release of antigens from the injury to the uvea activates autoimmune reactions, causing the injured eye to become chronically inflamed. The activation of this autoimmune response then spreads to the second, uninjured eye after a few weeks to many years. Signs are blurred vision, pain and impaired ability to focus the eye. The inflammatory reaction can not only lead to blindness of the originally affected eye, but also that of the healthy eye. An association with certain leukocyte antigens ( HLA ) requires further clarification. A Japanese study shows connections with HLA-DRB1 * 04 and HLA-DQB1 * 04, some of which could be reproduced in a German study.
treatment
If a chronic inflammation is detected, the eye that was first affected should be removed in good time, if it is already blind, in order to avoid spreading to the other eye. If both eyes are already affected, only intensive immunosuppressive therapy can help to maintain vision.
Ophthalmia among the Luxembourg nobles
Ophthalmia was a hereditary disease in the ranks of the noble Luxembourgers. For example, Johann von Böhmen was given the nickname John the Blind after losing both eyes due to the illness . Although his diseased eye was removed in 1337, 3 years later he completely lost his eyesight.
literature
- E. Schnitzler, L. Holbach: Sympathische Ophthalmie - a clinicopathological study in ten patients. Friedrich-Alexander-University, Eye Clinic, Erlangen 2002.
- GF Rochat: Sympathetic ophthalmia without iridocyclitis on the injured eye. In: Albrecht von Græfes Archives for Ophthalmology. v105 n1 (1921), pp. 614-616.
- Torsten Schlote, Manfred Zierhut: Sympathic Ophthalmia: A geneticly determint disease? University of Tübingen.
