The sympathetic ophthalmia risk following penetrating ocular injury peaks at which time window and requires prophylactic enucleation of the injured eye only if performed within:

• A Risk peaks at 2–3 months; enucleation within 4 weeks is protective
• B Risk peaks at 6–8 months; enucleation within 6 weeks is protective
• C Risk peaks within 1 week; immediate enucleation always indicated
• D Risk peaks at 4–8 weeks; enucleation within 2 weeks is protective ✓

Explanation

Sympathetic ophthalmia (SO) develops in the sympathising (fellow) eye following uveal trauma or surgery to the exciting eye. The risk period begins at 2 weeks post-injury (no cases reported before 9 days) and peaks at 4–8 weeks, with 80% of cases occurring within the first year. The protective window for prophylactic enucleation of the exciting eye is within 2 weeks of injury — before sensitisation of the contralateral uveal T-lymphocytes becomes irreversible. After 2 weeks, enucleation does not reliably prevent SO and may be less indicated if the eye has useful vision. Treatment of established SO requires systemic immunosuppression.

Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.