Purpose: We report the estimated incidence of, and risk factors for, recurrent anterior uveitis in patients with initial acute-onset Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease using survival analyses.Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with initial acute-onset VKH disease during 2003–2022 at two university hospitals were included. Recurrent anterior uveitis was defined as the first occurrence of the granulomatous anterior uveitis with anterior chamber cells and flare of 2+ or more by the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) Working Group grading scheme, after the disappearance of conspicuous uveitis and serous retinal detachment for at least 3 months, regardless of systemic or local treatment. The univariate log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed, including patients’ demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, presence of prodromal symptoms, duration of visual symptoms, visual acuity, slit-lamp and fundus findings, and height of serous retinal detachment. The treatment method and response to treatment were also included.Results: The estimated incidence was 39.3% at 10 years. Fifteen of 55 patients (27.3%) had recurrent anterior uveitis during the mean follow-up of 4.5 years. The presence of focal posterior synechiae at the diagnosis increased the risk of recurrent anterior uveitis 6.97-fold compared to the absence of synechiae (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.20–22.11; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Use of systemic high-dose steroid therapy more than 7 days after the development of visual symptoms resulted in a hazard ratio of 4.55 (95% CI, 1.27–16.40; <i>p</i> = 0.020).Conclusions: This study reports the estimated incidence and risk factors of recurrent anterior uveitis in VKH disease from survival analyses. However, because of the retrospective nature of this study, it is hard to confirm the consistency of the medical records regarding risk factors, thus, the presence of focal posterior synechiae can be inconclusive as a risk factor. Further studies are warranted.

Purpose: To report a case with peripheral eosinophilia and elevated immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels, subsequently diagnosed as IgG4-related ophthalmic disease involving the extraocular muscles.Case summary: A 56-year-old male visited the allergy department presenting with systemic urticaria and bilateral eyelid swelling that began 5 months prior. Laboratory examinations showed elevated levels of serum eosinophil and IgE, 1,309 IU/uL and 1,793 IU/mL, respectively. Orbital computed tomography revealed that all extraocular muscles and the bilateral exophthalmos were enlarged, and the patient was referred to the ophthalmology department. Eye alignment was orthophoric for all gaze directions, and limited abduction (-1) was noted in both eyes. An incisional biopsy of the extraocular muscles was conducted. Histopathological findings showed lymphoid aggregates, diffuse fibrosis, and an increased IgG4+/IgG+ plasma cell ratio of 40%, which led to the diagnosis of IgG4-related ophthalmic disease. An elevated IgG4 serum level (1,710 mg/dL) was also noted. The patient received high-dose intravenous steroids and eyelid swelling improved after two months. Levels of serum eosinophil, IgE, and IgG4 all decreased after three months.Conclusions: IgG4-related ophthalmic disease may be accompanied by eosinophilia and elevated IgE. These findings may facilitate future diagnoses of this disease.

Purpose: To report a case of choroidal folds caused by enlargement of the extraocular muscles (EOM) and orbital fat in a patient with immunoglobulin (Ig) G4-related ophthalmic disease. A full recovery was achieved after steroid administration.Case summary: A 56-year-old male received intravenous high-dose steroids to treat IgG4-related ophthalmic disease presenting with bilateral eyelid edema, hypertrophy of all EOM, and mild exophthalmos. After 3 months, only slight improvement was observed and azathioprine was initiated. The patient exhibited only a minimal response over the next 2 months; all medications were therefore stopped. One month later, the patient presented with aggravation of the swelling (both eyelids), exophthalmos, and visual impairment of the left eye. The corrected vision was 1.0 in the right eye and 0.2 in the left eye; choroid folds were observed in the posterior pole of the left eye. Intravenous steroid (500 mg) was given once and oral steroids prescribed as maintenance therapy. After 2 weeks, the corrected visual acuity recovered to 1.0 in both eyes, the eyelid edema and exophthalmos improved and the choroidal folds resolved completely.Conclusions: Choroidal folds associated with enlargement of EOM and orbital fat tissue can cause visual impairment in patients with IgG4-related ophthalmic disease. Steroids are effective in the acute phases and prevent irreversible visual impairment.