The ocular manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis. Fifteen years experience and review of the literature

Abstract

Ocular manifestations of Wegener's granulomatosis may occur secondary to contiguous granulomatous sinusitis or as a result of focal vasculitis. Contiguous granulomatous sinus disease causes nasolacrimal duct obstruction, proptosis and ocular muscle or optic nerve involvement. Focal vasculitis unrelated to contiguous upper respiratory tract disease is manifested by conjunctivitis, episcleritis, scleritis, corneoscleral ulceration, uveitis, and granulomatous vasculitis of the retina and optic nerve. A review of 29 cases of Wegener's granulomatosis and three cases of lymphomatoid granulomatosis studied over the past 15 years at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) disclosed single or multiple ocular manifestations of disease in 15 patients (47 per cent). The pattern of ocular disease, its relationship to systemic involvement, diagnostic methods and the response to therapy are discussed.