The role of anterior segment optical coherence tomography in uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema syndrome

Purpose To describe features of uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema (UGH) syndrome, using Anterior Segment-Optical Coherence Tomography (AS-OCT) and Ultrasound Biomicroscopy (UBM) and to evaluate the diagnostic role of AS-OCT as an imaging technique alternative to UBM. Design Retrospective case series. Methods Four eyes of 4 patients with UGH syndrome were analyzed. All patients reported previous uncomplicated cataract surgery with in-the-bag implantation of single-piece-intraocular lens (IOL). They underwent at presentation complete ophthalmological examination and imaging with slit-lamp anterior segment photographs, UBM and AS-OCT. Results Although AS-OCT did not allow to visualize the structures behind the iris, it displayed a contact between IOL (plate and/or haptics) and iris and IOL tilting in 3 out of 4 eyes. AS-OCT directly detected the cause of UGH syndrome in one eye, 2 eyes required some expedients to display the iris chafing, like scans in mydriasis and/or patient's gaze direction change. AS-OCT did not allow to appreciate the IOL-iris contact (showed by UBM technique) only in one eye, probably due to the change of patient position from supine to sitting, and consequent anteriorization of iris diaphragm. Furthermore AS-OCT showed fine details, as capsular bag collapse and indirect signs of haptic malposition in 3 out of 4 eyes. Conclusion AS-OCT is a non-invasive technique that allows to determine IOL position and IOL-uveal contact in selected cases of UGH syndrome. Considering AS-OCT and UBM advantages and limitations, AS-OCT should be used as first imaging modality when clinical diagnosis is uncertain. When UGH diagnosis cannot be verified using AS-OCT, UBM should be performed.