A case report: co-occurrence of probable Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease and diabetic retinopathy

BMC Ophthalmol. 2024 Apr 2;24(1):148. doi: 10.1186/s12886-024-03410-z.

Abstract

Background: Bilateral retinal detachment and choroidal detachment in a patient are rare occurrences. The presence of bilateral diabetic retinopathy (DR) in such a case is even rarer and complicates the condition.

Case presentation: In this study, we document a case of unconventional VKH. Manifestations in this patient included intense peripheral retinal detachment and choroidal detachment, along with vitreous opacities akin to cotton wool spots, concurrent with DR. The diagnosis was considered as probable VKH with DR. Treatment according to VKH protocols, including high-dose corticosteroids, yielded positive results.

Conclusions: VKH can co-occurrence with DR. VKH manifestations vary, and early, aggressive, and long-term treatment is essential. The complexity of treatment increases with concurrent DR, necessitating the use of immunosuppressants.

Keywords: Choroidal detachment; Diabetes retinopathy; Exudative retinal detachment; Probable Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Choroidal Effusions*
  • Diabetes Mellitus*
  • Diabetic Retinopathy* / complications
  • Diabetic Retinopathy* / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Papilledema* / etiology
  • Retinal Detachment* / complications
  • Retinal Detachment* / etiology
  • Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome* / complications
  • Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome* / drug therapy