Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease in Thai Patients
Nattaporn Tesavibul MD*, Wiwon Sansanayuth MD**
Affiliation : * Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, **Department of Ophthalmology, Pramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Objectives : To study the demographic, clinical manifestations, treatment and visual outcome of Vogt-Koyanagi-
Harada disease (VKH) in a group of Thai patients.
Design : Retrospective case series.
Materials and Methods : Patients with VKH disease in Pramongkutklao Hospital from January 1998 to December
2002 were identified. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, treatment, and outcome were analyzed.
Results : Among the 33 patients, there were 12 males and 21 females with a mean age of onset of 35 + 13.4 year-
old (range 17-67). Serous retinal detachment was detected in 48%. Transient hearing loss, vitiligo, poliosis
and alopecia occurred in 18%, 24%, 15% and 33% respectively. Forty two percent of the patients were treated
with systemic corticosteroids alone and 58% with a combination of steroids and immunosuppressive drugs. At
the end of the follow-up, visual acuity (VA) improved in 55%, remained unchanged in 36% and worsened in
9% of the eyes. Final VA of equal or better than 20/40 was obtained in 76%. The mean follow-up time was 21.6
+ 14.9 months (range 2-64).
Conclusion : Demographic data, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcome of this group of Thai patients
are comparable with studies from other countries.
Keywords : Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada, VKH, Serous retinal detachment, Poliosis, Vitiligo
