Sympathetic ophthalmia: a review of literature

Sympathetic ophthalmia (SO), also known as sympathetic uveitis, is a rare bilateral granulomatous panuveitis that occurs after a penetrating injury to an eye. After injuryfrom either surgery or accident, a variable period of time passes before a sight-threatening inflammation develops in both the eyes. The disease usually responds rapidly to corticosteroid therapy, but recalcitrant cases may require the addition of other immunosuppressive agents. A severely injured eye with no prognosis for vision should be enucleated within 2 weeks of injury to prevent SO. The purpose of this article is to highlight the risks of SO associated with the orbital fractures involving soft tissue components of the orbit. Though unusual, a maxillofacial surgeon, while operating on the orbital walls involving the soft tissue disruption, has to be aware of this condition so that the postoperative complications related to vision can be avoided. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2012; 113: 172-176)