Enfermedad de Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada

Abstract

The Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease, formerly known as uveomeningitic syndrome, is a bilateral diffuse granulomatous panuveitis associated with exudative retinal detachment, which can be accompanied by central nervous system involvement, dermatological and auditory alterations.

Its name derives from the authors who first described the disease. It affects adults of both genders, between 20 and 50 years old, with darkly pigmented races prevalence. This inflammatory syndrome is probably the result of an autoimmune mechanism, influenced by genetic factors.

The evolution of the disease is divided into four clinical stages: prodromal, acute uveitic, convalescent and chronically recurrent. The diagnosis is mainly clinical, using the criteria established by the American Society of Uveitis (AUS) posted in the year 2001. Differential diagnosis must be done with sympathetic ophthalmopathy, primary B cell lymphoma, posterior scleritis, and uveal effusion syndrome. An early and maintained treatment is the basis of a favorable outcome.