Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Visual loss resulting from immunosuppressive therapy in patients with syphilitic uveitis

Perda visual resultante do uso de terapia imunossupressora em pacientes com uveíte por sífilis

ABSTRACT

Permanent visual loss can be caused by improper use of immunosuppressive therapy in cases of uveitis without differential diagnosis of syphilitic uveitis. We present four cases of syphilitic uveitis that were incorrectly diagnosed as being secondary to rheumatic diseases and were subsequently treated with immunosuppressive therapy, leading to permanent visual loss. These cases highlight the importance of ruling out syphilis in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory ocular diseases before starting use of immunosuppressive therapy.

Keywords:
Syphilis; Uveitis/drug therapy; Immunosuppressive agents/therapeutic use; Immunosuppressive agents/adverse effects; Vision disorders/etiology; Case reports

Conselho Brasileiro de Oftalmologia Rua Casa do Ator, 1117 - cj.21, 04546-004 São Paulo SP Brazil, Tel: 55 11 - 3266-4000, Fax: 55 11- 3171-0953 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: abo@cbo.com.br