Bilateral acute depigmentation of the iris in two siblings simultaneously

PURPOSE: To report the first simultaneous onset of bilateral acute depigmentation of the iris (BADI) in two siblings. OBSERVATIONS: Two sisters presented with bilateral ocular pain, redness and light sensitivity. Examination revealed bilateral circulating pigment in the anterior chamber with pigment dusting on backs of the corneas, patchy iris depigmentation and heavy pigment deposition in the angle. Both patients had recently suffered from upper respiratory tract infections. Bilateral visual acuities were preserved and no transillumination defects were observed. The patients were diagnosed with BADI. Both cases were successfully controlled with topical corticosteroids and anti-glaucoma drops as well as topical glanciclovir gel. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: To date, there had been no published reports of BADI in the Middle East and Africa. This is the first observation of this entity in these regions. Moreover it is the first occurrence of BADI in two immediate siblings simultaneously. We also report the rare asymmetrical presentation with BADI in one of our patients. These observations point to the possibility of genetic factors underlying BADI as well as an infectious cause behind the etiology.