Risk factors for ocular sarcoidosis.

We reviewed 121 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis who visited the sarcoidosis clinic of the University Hospital in Amsterdam, to determine the risk factors for the development of ocular manifestations. Of 121 patients 52 (43%) were black. Ocular disease developed in 50 (41%) patients and was more common in female and in black patients.

The predictive value of serum angiotensin converting enzyme and lysozyme levels in the diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis.

We determined the serum angiotensin converting enzyme and lysozyme levels in 221 patients with uveitis and in 67 control subjects. Angiotensin converting enzyme and lysozyme levels were found to be age dependent. Of the 221 patients, 12 had sarcoidosis.

Computer registration of uveitis patients.

An analysis was made of 1309 patients with uveitis seen at University Hospitals participating in the Uveitis Centre of the Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute. In this series B27-associated anterior uveitis was the most frequent entity (18%) followed by Toxoplasma chorioretinitis (7%). Sarcoid uveitis, pars planitis and Fuchs' heterochromic cyclitis each accounted for approximately 4-5% of cases.

Analysis of human tear protein profiles using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) the tear protein profiles were measured in controls, patients with Sjögren's disease, questionable dry eye (idiopathic dry eye), idiopathic chronic conjunctivitis and the corneal melting syndrome. Qualitative comparison of the protein profiles of patients with Sjögren's disease, corneal melting and IgA deficiency shows a marked difference in the heights of various peaks as compared to the profiles of the control group. The total protein content of tears in controls and in patients with idiopathic chronic conjunctivitis is age dependent and appears to increase until the age of 40 and to decrease afterwards.