A Case of Hypopyon Uveitis Associated With Relapsing Polychondritis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Relapsing polychondritis is an uncommon systemic autoimmune disorder which is characterized by recurrent and often progressive inflammatory episodes involving multiple organ systems, including the ophthalmic, otorhinolaryngeal, respiratory, musculoskeletal, renal, cardiovascular, and dermatologic systems. The most common ocular manifestations are episcleritis and scleritis. Uveitis, especially the nongranulomatous type, has been reported in 3% to 22% of relapsing polychondritis cases. We report uncommon hypopyon uveitis as an ophthalmic finding associated with relapsing polychondritis. CASE SUMMARY: A 56-year-old woman with known relapsing polychondritis presented with ocular pain and redness in the right eye which had developed two months before and was managed for scleritis. However, she developed blurred vision, and hypopyon and vitreous opacity was found. The patient presented to our clinic and we diagnosed her with hypopyon uveitis associated with relapsing polychondritis. The patient was started on systemic steroid therapy consisting of 1% prednisolone acetate, 0.5% moxifloxacin, and 0.5% tobramycin in the right eye. Hypopyon disappeared 8 days following the initiation of treatment, and all symptoms had resolved after 14 days.