Three weeks after repair of a penetrating scleral laceration with uveal prolapse, a 30-year-old man develops photophobia and blurred vision in his uninjured left eye. Examination shows anterior chamber cells and keratic precipitates in both eyes. Regarding sympathetic ophthalmia, the highest-risk period for onset in the sympathizing eye is:
- A Within the first 48 hours
- B Between 2 weeks and 3 months after injury ✓
- C Only after 5 years
- D It never affects the second eye if the injured eye is enucleated after 6 months
Correct answer: B. Between 2 weeks and 3 months after injury
Explanation
Sympathetic ophthalmia is bilateral granulomatous panuveitis following penetrating uveal injury; roughly 80 percent of cases declare themselves within three months of the inciting injury, with the peak between two weeks and three months. Onset within the first two weeks is exceedingly rare, which is why enucleation within 14 days of injury is considered protective and kills option A.
Reference: Kanski's Clinical Ophthalmology, 9th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.