Eye Surgery Associates

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease, or group of conditions, in which 'sarcoid granulomas' appear. These 'granulomas' occur mainly in the lungs or lymph nodes, but also in the eyes, liver, skin, heart and salivary glands. Of people with sarcoidosis, about 20-30% develop symptomatic involvement of their eyes. An additional group have eye disease with no symptoms.

What causes sarcoidosis?

No cause has yet been identified. The main theories are that it is either due to an infection, or an allergy combined with susceptible genes causing this unusual type of inflammation.

How is it diagnosed?

Sarcoidosis is usually diagnosed by systemic signs, chest x-rays and blood tests. The most common blood test is called the ‘ACE’ level. Sometimes a tissue biopsy and/or other tests may be required.

How is sarcoidosis treated?

Ocular sarcoidosis is treated according to which parts of the eye are affected. Sarcoidosis may cause inflammation, not infection, of ocular tissues. The eye condition mainly associated with sarcoidosis is iritis, which is most commonly treated with steroid eye drops. More severe sarcoid eye disease may require steroid injections or tablets.

What is the long term outlook?

Most cases of systemic sarcoidosis get better over one to three years. The eye conditions are treated as required, with on going monitoring until it is no longer considered necessary. Untreated ocular inflammation may cause ongoing ocular problems. It is important to follow through with treatment regimes prescribed by your doctors for both systemic and ocular conditions related to sarcoidosis. Abruptly stopping treatment may cause the condition to get worse.