Uveitis-Glaucoma-Hyphema Syndrome: Clinical Features and Differential Diagnosis.

Purpose: to study the clinical features of uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema (UGH) syndrome, particularly those useful for a differential diagnosis from unilateral hypertensive acute anterior uveitis.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on the clinical features of 9 patients with UGH syndrome. These features were then compared with those detected in 50 patients with unilateral hypertensive acute anterior uveitis.

Results: Fine and pigmented keratic precipitates ( = .0002 and = .00004, respectively), iris atrophy ( = .0122), hyphema and vitreous opacities > 2+ ( = .0003), and cystoid macular edema ( = .009) were statistically associated with UGH syndrome. These clinical signs show a high specificity, ranging from 58 to 100%; the presence of pigmented keratic precipitates in the setting of a unilateral acute hypertensive anterior uveitis has a sensitivity and specificity of 89% and 84%, respectively.

Conclusion: In patients operated on for cataract, UGH syndrome can be differentiated from unilateral hypertensive acute anterior uveitis considering specific clinical signs.