Bilateral Acute Transillumination of the Iris

Abstract

Aim: To elaborate on the recently described clinical entity of Bilateral Acute Iris Transillumination (BAIT) with case descriptions and review of existing literature. Methods: Clinical records of three patients with BAIT were reviewed and the data analyzed and compared with that already reported in literature. Results: All 3 patients (100%) had bilateral acute onset of symptoms which included congestion, photophobia and blurring of vision, 2 of the 3 patients (66.66%) had antecedent respiratory illness and one (33.33%) of them was treated with oral moxifloxacin for the respiratory symptoms. All patients had corneal endothelial pigment dusting, pigments in the anterior chamber, diffuse iris transillumination, atonic, distorted and mid-dilated pupils. Raised Intraocular pressure (IOP) was noted in all three patients and they were all managed with topical steroids and antiglaucoma medications. Conclusions: BAIT is an ocular condition that may present following a respiratory illness and is often misdiagnosed and managed as acute iridocyclitis with the patient undergoing a battery of investigations and treatment with a variety of drugs including systemic immunosuppression. Increased awareness of this condition will help reduce the misdiagnosis and mismanagement of this condition.