Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome: What neurologists need to know

Abstract

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKHS) is a multisystem disorder that typically presents with bilateral uveitis, often associated with neurological and/or audiological features. However, it can present with neurological features before the ocular changes become apparent. VKHS is well known to ophthalmologists: though less common in Caucasians, it can be responsible for up to 20% of presentations with acute uveitis in certain racial groups.1 2 Neurologists rarely encounter it, meaning that they can be caught off guard, as in the case of acute meningitis reported by Street and colleagues in this issue of Practical Neurology.3 Early diagnosis is important as this allows appropriate early treatment which in turn is associated with a better visual outcome.4 5 This article will provide a brief overview but the interested reader is referred to recent excellent reviews for more information.