Ocular Syphilis—Back Again: Understanding Recent Increases in the Incidence of Ocular Syphilitic Disease

PURPOSE: The clinical findings and outcomes of 12 cases of luetic uveitis are reported. METHODS: Review of clinical records. RESULTS: Patients included 10 men and 2 women; 7 were homosexual, 9 HIV-positive. Six patients presented a medical history suggestive of syphilis. All patients presented with iritis and vitritis. Visual acuity improved in 11 patients after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Syphilis has reemerged in developed countries. This may be related to the post-AID S/HAART era, with a growing pool of HIV-positive men who oftenly practice unsafe sex. We underscore the importance of a high index of suspicion of ocular syphilis in patients with these characteristics.