Sarcoid Uveitis with Choroidal Involvement

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate characteristics of choroidal involvement in sarcoid uveitis. Patients and Methods: Included were patients with confirmed sarcoidosis and uveitis with an eye examination at the Tays Eye Center at Tampere University Hospital between January 2014 and January 2021. Results: Choroidal involvement was found in 31 of 97 sarcoid uveitis patients (32%), and 5 of them were detected only after reviewing the ocular images for this study. None of our patients presented with vasculitis. Choroidal nodules were found in 10%, multifocal choroiditis in 90% and serpiginous choroiditis in 3% of patients with choroidal involvement. They had a higher rate of chronic course of uveitis (71% vs 29%, p < 0.001), bilateral uveitis (90% vs 58%, p = 0.001), vitreal snowballs (65% vs 15%, p < 0.001), and macular edema (36% vs 9%, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Choroidal involvement is common and may be underdiagnosed in sarcoid uveitis. Therefore, we recommend carefully looking for choroidal involvement not only with slit-lamp but also with ocular imaging in patients with uveitis.