Hypopyon uveitis and relapsing polychondritis: a report of 2 patients and review of autoimmune hypopyon uveitis.

OBJECTIVE:To report hypopyon uveitis as an ophthalmic finding associated with relapsing polychondritis. DESIGN:Interventional case reports. PARTICIPANTS:Two patients with hypopyon uveitis as a manifestation of relapsing polychondritis. METHODS:Complete ocular and systemic examinations as well as chart reviews were performed for 2 patients with hypopyon uveitis as a manifestation of relapsing polychondritis at presentation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:Clinical observation and response to treatment in 2 patients with hypopyon uveitis secondary to relapsing polychondritis. RESULTS:A 70-year-old white male had unilateral hypopyon uveitis accompanied by a migratory polyarthralgia at presentation. Fifteen months later, he sought treatment for chondritis of the right auricle and was diagnosed with relapsing polychondritis. A 42-year-old white female with known relapsing polychondritis had bilateral hypopyon uveitis at presentation during a systemic relapse. Both patients had resolution of the hypopyon with topical and systemic steroids. CONCLUSIONS:Relapsing polychondritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sterile hypopyon uveitis. Steroids and systemic immunosuppression can be used to treat the uveitis.