Continued vision loss from progressive expansion of inactive chorioretinal scars in a myopic patient with well-controlled sympathetic ophthalmia

Purpose: To describe significant vision loss caused by enlargement of chorioretinal scars related to sympathetic ophthalmia despite adequate control of intraocular inflammation. Methods: A case report of a 62-year-old man who developed sympathetic ophthalmia after a vitrectomy, which was successful in repairing a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Results: Progressive expansion of chorioretinal scars occurred despite successful control of intraocular inflammation related to sympathetic ophthalmia. The visual acuity declined from 20/20 to no light perception in the right eye and from 20/400 to light perception in the left eye over 11 years of follow-up. Conclusion: Progressive enlargement of chorioretinal scars and visual loss may occur despite adequate control of intraocular inflammation in patients with sympathetic ophthalmia. Similar patterns of scar expansion have been reported in eyes after laser photocoagulation, but we believe this is the first report of scar enlargement in the setting of well-controlled sympathetic ophthalmia.