Ocular involvement in hemophagocytic syndrome: A novel funduscopic manifestation and review of the literature

Purpose: Hemophagocytic syndrome (HS) is a rare disease with a spectrum of ocular findings. The authors report a unique funduscopic presentation of HS in a neonate and a discussion of diagnosis, typical features, management, and outcome. Methods: Single case report with retrospective analysis of the published literature of patients with HS and ocular findings from 1950 to present using the key terms hemophagocytic, lymphohistiocytosis, ocular, and ophthalmic. Literature search from 1950 to the present was performed through PubMed/MEDLINE and the Cochrane database. Requirement for inclusion was that the article or abstract was written in English. Results: A 4-week-old neonate with HS demonstrated bilateral discrete white dots within the retina, which resolved incompletely over the course of the next months but showed increased pigmentation. Conclusion: With so few documented ophthalmic cases of HS in existence, the ocular findings at this point can be seen as diverse and variable. However as more cases are reported, hopefully this will allow for increased recognition of the ophthalmic manifestations and sequelae and in turn lead to improved treatment of this disease.