Ophthalmic Rosai–Dorfman disease: a multi-centre comprehensive study

BACKGROUND: To provide basic demographic information and clinicopathologic features of ophthalmic Rosai–Dorfman disease (RDD) with a literature review. METHODS: A multi-centre retrospective case series reviewing all patients with histopathologically confirmed ophthalmic RDD at three tertiary eye care centres between January 1993 and December 2018. RESULTS: Eleven eyes of eight patients with histopathologically confirmed ophthalmic RDD were included, with equal numbers of males and females. The median age was 40.25 years (range: 26.6–72.4). Two patients had familial RDD. The orbit was the most commonly involved site (90.9% eyes). One patient (one eye) presented with a scleral nodule, anterior uveitis and cystoid macular oedema. Visual acuity ranged from 20/25 to light perception. Six patients had an extra-nodal ophthalmic disease, and the remaining two had an associated submandibular lymphadenopathy (nodal RDD). CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmic RDD can be the only manifestation of this systemic disease, with the orbit being the most commonly involved site, exhibiting bone destruction, intracranial and/or sinus involvement and variable degree of visual loss. Ophthalmic familial RDD represent a severe form with a malignant course. Steroid monotherapy may be inadequate to control orbital RDD; thus, combined treatment is usually necessary. A comprehensive approach to assessment and management is recommended.