Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disorder of uncertain aetiology that can affect almost any organ. Anterior uveitis is a feature of the condition in about 30 per cent of those affected. We describe a patient with sarcoidosis presenting with anterior uveitis and describe a diagnostic approach.

Sarcoidosis is a condition that must be considered in patients presenting with symptomatic uveitis, as the underlying disease is serious and usually treatable. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis is aided by an understanding of the pattern of organ involvement and may ultimately require tissue confirmation through biopsy of granulomata, including those found in the ocular adnexa.

Figure 3. CT Abdomen demonstrating para-aortic lymphadenopathy (arrows)

Key Words: anterior uveitis, granuloma, lung disease, posterior uveitis, sarcoidosis, vitritis

Clin Exp Optom 2006; 89: 6: 361-367
Accepted for publication: 10 June 2006

Harrison S Weisinger ¹ MScOptom MBBS PhD
Daniel Steinfort ¹ BMedSci MBBS
Adam D Zimmet ² BMedSci MBBS
Anthony JH Hall ³ MD FRANZCO FRACS
Konrad Pesudovs ⁴ BScOptom PhD PGDipAdvClinOptom FVCO FAAO FCLSA
¹ Department of Respiratory Medicine and
² Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital, Victoria, Australia
³ Eye Surgery Associates, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
⁴ NH&MRC Centre for Clinical Eye Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia