Abstract
Purpose::
To study the pattern of keratic precipitates (KPs) in Fuchs’ Heterochromic Cyclitis (FHC) using in vivo confocal microscopy.
Methods::
KPs of 8 consecutive patients (average age: 47+/-6 years), addressed for suspicion of FHC, were examined using the HRT II Rostock Cornea module, between May and November, 2006. The uveitis was unilateral in all patients. The diagnosis of FHC was suspected on the basis of clinical patterns of the ocular inflammation and the lack of evidence for another infectious or immunological cause. Two patients had already been operated for cataract and glaucoma, respectively, and 3 patients were treated for glaucoma. At the time of in vivo confocal microscopy, the FHC was in stable period (no recent increase of inflammation).
Results::
The HRT II Rostock Cornea allowed obtaining very precise images of KPs, which reproducibly had a star pattern with bridges connecting KPs between each others.
Conclusions::
FHC is a classic cause of unilateral and hypertonic uveitis. If the clinical pattern is often very suggestive, certain cases are difficult to differentiate from viral uveitis, notably herpetic uveitis. The very reproducible pattern of KPs in FHC using in vivo confocal microscopy should be helpful in such cases.
Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model • imaging/image analysis: clinical • inflammation