Neuro-ophthalmic sarcoidosis

ro-ophthalmic sarcoidosis Review (2166) Total Article Views Authors: Baughman RP, Weiss KL, Golnik KC Published Date March 2012 Volume 2012:4 Pages 13 - 25 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/EB.S29401 Received: 22 December 2011 Accepted: 01 February 2012 Published: 14 March 2012 Robert P Baughman1, Kenneth L Weiss2, Karl C Golnik3 1Department of Medicine, 2Department of Radiology, 3Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Abstract: Neuro-ophthalmic disease occurs in about a third of patients with neurosarcoidosis. Optic nerve involvement is the most common manifestation, but other cranial nerves and the optic chiasm can be involved. However, there are several other common diseases that cause optic neuropathy, including multiple sclerosis. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis can often be made based on the multi-organ nature of the disease and ancillary testing. Most patients with neuro-ophthalmic sarcoidosis require systemic therapy. While corticosteroids are usually the first step in therapy, cytotoxic agents such as methotrexate and azathioprine have been useful as steroid-sparing agents for chronic disease. The monoclonal antibodies directed against tumor necrosis factor have been reported as effective in refractory cases of neuro-ophthalmic disease.