Sympathetic ophthalmia with sensorineural deafness - report of a case

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to report a case of sympathetic ophthalmia with sensorineural hearing loss following penetrating trauma. This is an interventional case report. A 23-year-old male presented with bilateral, sudden, profound visual and hearing loss, disorientation, and dizziness. He had a past history of penetrating trauma with an iron rod in the right eye for which he underwent scleral tear repair, vitreo-retinal surgery with intraocular foreign body removal and silicon oil injection. His best corrected visual acuity in the right eye was counting fingers close to the face and was perception of light in the left eye. Clinical evaluation with slit biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, ultrasonography, and pure tone audiometry was suggestive of sympathetic ophthalmia with sensorineural hearing loss. Treatment was started with intravenous methyl prednisolone, oral corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants. FINDINGS: Following treatment, signs of panuveitis showed resolution and improvement in visual, hearing, and neurological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Sympathetic ophthalmia associated with sensorineural deafness and neurological symptoms is a rare clinical syndrome. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressant medication may result in clinical improvement.