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Sarcoidosis Information Snippets


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This section contains snippets of information about sarcoidosis and links to sites where you may read more detailed accounts of the disease. The information I have provided here was selected from topics in which I was interested when first diagnosed and topics of searches done by visitors to my site since I started it. Each snippet is a stand-alone piece, so there may be some repetition of information found in other snippets. If anyone has a subject he/she would like to have me add to this section, please feel free to contact me.



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Sarcoidosis is a chronic, systemic disease. A chronic disease is one that persists for a long time, i.e. three months or more. Chronic diseases generally cannot be prevented by vaccines or cured by medication, nor do they just disappear. Systemic diseases are diseases that can affect number of organs and tissues, or affect the body as a whole. Of those who contract sarcoidosis, the vast majority first notice symptoms that involve their lungs, but any or all organs in the body can be involved over time, especially if the disease becomes chronic. A large majority of people who are diagnosed with sarcoid, approximately 80%, will never experience further episodes or exacerbations after the initial disease period for which they are diagnosed. Within a year or two they will be completely free of symptoms. They will, however, never be completely cured. The disease has no known cure and will remain in the individuals' bodies for the rest of their lives. The remainder of those who contract sarcoidosis will continue to have symptoms and/or flare-ups of disease activity in varying levels of severity and longevity. Severity can range from having no visible symptoms but showing positive medical test results to extremely severe symptoms that destroy a person's quality of life. Longevity can range from a few weeks to lifelong symptoms at erratic intervals or a progressive disease track in which a small proportion of those diagnosed with sarcoidosis will grow progressively sicker and require considerable medical intervention to maintain their quality of life at a reasonable level. Despite all medical assistance, about 5% of those diagnosed with sarcoidosis will succumb to its debilitating effects and die. Most of those individuals have experienced complications from pulmonary sarcoidosis (lungs), neurological sarcoidosis (central and peripheral nervous system), and cardiac sarcoidosis (heart). In particular, a person with cardiac sarcoid may have a life-ending episode without even knowing they have sarcoidosis. It is only diagnosed when an autopsy is performed.



Many physicians believe that sarcoidosis is a benign condition, but there were probably equally as many doctors just a decade ago who believed that sarcoidosis is a rare disease. In today’s medical world you will not see “rare” and “sarcoidosis” used in the same sentence very often, if ever. And in the same vein more and more medical doctors are questioning just how “benign” the disease really is.

Information provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health reports that "although sarcoidosis was once considered a rare disease, it [sarcoidosis] is now known to be a chronic, common illness that appears all over the world. In fact, it is the most common of the fibriotic lung disorders."

There are two possible reasons for the previous belief that sarcoidosis was rare. First, many patients have no visible symptoms and appear to be healthy. They are diagnosed "by accident" while being assessed for some other medical problem or when having a routine physical exam. Various medical tests produce “positive” results. Secondly, some patients are misdiagnosed as having any of a number of diseases that have symptoms similar to those in sarcoidosis. And additionally, until recently the medical community and general public barely knew that there was such a disease. They needed to be provided with accurate information so diagnoses and treatments could become more reliable. Additionally, knowledge about sarcoid will in the future encourage provision of greater funding for research into its origins, treatment, and possible cures.

As doctors learned more about sarcoidosis, they found that it [sarcoidosis] may not be as benign as they originally thought. These doctors felt that they needed to remain vigilant in diagnosing and managing sarcoidosis because it could be an insidious condition that could manifest in various ways. They now know that a small number of patients will have a very gradual and deceitfully subtle progression of the disease that never really goes into remission and eventually results in permanent damage to one or more areas of the body. Other patients will have a relatively inactive level of sarcoidosis, but will continue to exhibit some seemingly minor ongoing symptoms during that period. And others, who appear to be a relatively small number at present, may have an initial episode that completely remits within a year or two, so they think they are “cured.” However, somewhere in the future the disease returns, sometimes after ten years or more of inactivity.

The doctors in the Internal Medicine Service, University Hospital of Bellvitge, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, conducted a study of the records of a group of 17 patients who experienced a recurrence of sarcoidosis following complete remission and prolonged period of inactivity. The study covered 28 years and concluded that “acute sarcoidosis, and particularly Löfgren's syndrome, may recur many years after complete remission. Consequently, a long-term follow-up is recommended even in patients with inactive disease. This clinical observation strongly suggests that a re-exposure to or re-infection by an extrinsic antigen triggers the new flare-ups of the disease.” Therefore, once a patient is diagnosed with sarcoidosis, he/she should be evaluated by a doctor regularly whether symptoms are present or not. Appropriate tests for the most reliable indicators of sarcoid activity, including a complete eye exam, should be included in such evaluations. If stability of the condition and signs of inactivity have been maintained for longer than one year after the cessation of treatment, the possibility of relapse is considerably diminished, but the patient and his physician should continue to be vigilant, since relapses can occur even after ten years of inactivity. The good news is that it has been determined that such vigilance generally results in a good outcome.



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Sarcoidosis is an autoimmune disease, but its actual origin is unknown. It is believed that autoimmune diseases may involve a combination of a dominant genetic trait that occurs in about 20% of the population and an agent in the environment such as an allergen or virus that triggers the process. With similar wording the AARDA Website states that bacteria, viruses, toxins, and some drugs may play a role in triggering an autoimmune process in someone who already has a genetic (inherited) predisposition to develop such a disorder. The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) believes that "some research suggests that bacteria, viruses or chemicals might trigger the disease. Although such triggers might not affect most people, it is possible that in someone with the right genetic predisposition they provoke the immune system to develop the inflammation associated with sarcoidosis" [or some other autoimmune disease.] According to the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) autoimmune diseases may occur in families, but may present as any one of about a hundred different autoimmune diseases (in my case, about the time my initial symptoms appeared, my daughter was diagnosed with mulitple sclerosis when she was in her early twenties; then I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia as a secondary condition to my sarcoidosis; and more recently at least two of my daughter's three children have been diagnosed with celiac disease as juveniles;). Therefore, it is important for families with members who have autoimmune diseases to mention this fact when another member of the family is experiencing medical problems that appear to be difficult to diagnose.




A number of general symptoms may appear in those who have sarcoidosis. These include fatigue that may be extreme at times and require the patient to get additional amounts of sleep, including naps during the day. There may be varying degrees of depression that sometimes have a sudden onset/retreat. Muscle weakness/lethargy may be present as well as general joint pain, most often in the knees. Low-grade fever, heat sensitivity, weight loss, and headaches are additional symptoms that may occur in sarcoidosis. In a review of a study of sarcoid patients, Ruth Wirnsberger, University of Maastricht in the Netherlands, wrote in "Quality of Life and Health Status in Sarcoidosis" (all 217 pgs seen at this link) that along with the chest-related symptoms, "patients may also suffer from nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, fever, weight loss, and muscle pain." "Persistent fatigue may not be taken seriously or may be underestimated by the patient's physician, family, and/or workplace." "Moreover, about one third of the patients suffered from tension, strain, and/or depressive symptoms, which by the patients themselves were attributed to the ongoing disorder." Ms. Wirnsberger stated that patients with sarcoid were found to be impaired with respect to their mobility, sleep, ability to work, recreation/exercise, and social interaction. Where fatigue was a factor, metabolic derangements and decreased respiratory muscle strength were found.



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Site specific symptoms depend upon the body system or organ involved. The most frequently involved organs are the lungs. An abnormal chest x-ray may or may not be accompanied by such overt symptoms as shortness of breath (especially upon exertion), heaviness/tightness in the chest, and a dry, non-productive cough. These often result in a reduced exercise capacity. When the nervous system is involved there may be a myriad of symptoms possible (see discussion below). Heart involvement is often silent and may only be detected after death. Ocular involvement is quite frequent, so anyone suspected of having sarcoidosis should have a complete eye examination at least once a year in order to prevent any unnecessary loss of sight. Eye involvement may not be heralded by any overt symptoms at onset, but may also be indicated by somewhat dry, scratchy eyes. The most common eye condition is uveitis. Skin conditions may vary as to type of lesion, body location, and severity/longevity of the symptoms.




Initial sarcoidosis symptoms frequently appear in the lungs, and about 90% of all individuals who are diagnosed with sarcoidosis will eventually have lung involvement. About half of the patients with more acute presentations will have a combination of symptoms that together are called Lofgren's Syndrome. Lofgren's Syndrome consists of three major elements, i.e. erythema nodosum, bilateral hilar (lymph)adenopathy, and polyarthralgias. Erythema nodosum consists of tender/painful red raised nodules that most often appear on the front of the leg between the knee and ankle (shins), predominantly in women in the springtime. Bilateral hilar (lymph)adenopathy is characterized by inflammation/enlargement of the lymph nodes in the lungs near their inner border that is easily and most commonly identified by a chest x-ray. Bilateral means that it's on both sides. Hilar comes from "hilum" which is the area through which ducts, nerves, or blood vessels enter and leave a gland or organ (in this case, a lung). Adenopathy (often synonomous with lymphadenopathy) refers to a glandular disease or enlargement of glandular tissue (especially a chronic, abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes/glands, usually associated with disease). Radiographics presents a somewhat complicated but thorough discussion of certain aspects of pulmonary sarcoidosis that includes bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. The third major element of Lofgren's Syndrome is the presence of polyarthralgias, which are multiple joint aches sometimes referred to as arthritis, but not usually resulting in the destructive joint changes present in true arthritis. They are more prominent in men. The "arthritis" is often acute, involves the lower extremities, and may include such symptoms as extreme fatigue, general weakness, and low-grade fever. The predicted outcome of Lofgren's Syndrome is generally favorable with about 90% of patients becoming disease-free within two years and experiencing no further problems. In contrast, patients with other forms of sarcoidosis such as lupus pernio, a disfiguring skin condition, cardiac sarcoidosis, or neurosarcoidosis rarely experience such disease remission.




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Pulmonary (respiratory) sarcoidosis is classified in five stages (categories) based on chest x-ray findings (CXR). It is important to emphasize that the term, stages, can be misleading in that patients do not always graduate from a mild case to a more serious case. Stage one does not necessarily progress to stage two, three etc. This is why some physicians refer to these categories as types or groups rather than stages, since they do not imply a progression; rather they are patterns seen on the x-rays. These categories have been useful for prognosis (likelihood of improvement), but have a low correlation with symptoms and pulmonary function. In many cases the disease remits and never returns.

  • Stage 0 -- Normal chest radiography (Chest X-ray or CXR)

  • Stage 1 -- Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (disease condition of the hilar lymph nodes usually occurring on both sides simultaneously)

  • Stage 2 -- Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (see Stage 1 for explanation) with nonfibrotic pulmonary parenchymal disease (See Stage 3 for explanation)

  • Stage 3 -- Nonfibrotic pulmonary parenchymal disease (disease of the essential lung elements but without formation of fibrous or scar tissue)

  • Stage 4-- Fibrosis with distortion of lung and cavitary changes (formation of fibrous tissue that replaces the essential lung elements and causes changes and distortions in lung/lung cavity)

  • A lengthy and in-depth article, "Sarcoidosis, A Primary Care Review" includes a table that provides information about the differences in chest radiographs, pulmonary function tests, signs/symptoms, and expectation of remission for the various stages of pulmonary sarcoidosis. The article appears in the December 1998 issue of The American Family Physician magazine.




    Despite the fact that about 90% of sarcoidosis diagnoses involve the lungs (pulmonary sarcoidosis), cardiac sarcoidosis and neurosarcoidosis tend to be more serious. Both types are more likely to be chronic or recurring with a greater likelihood they will end in death, but initial diagnosis is so difficult that many cases are not discovered until post-mortem. In both cases Prednisone is usually considered to be the cornerstone of therapy, while immunosuppressant agents like methotrexate and azathioprine can be used along with the corticosteroids or in their stead, if the corticosteroids prove to be ineffective or present too many side effects.

    "Neurosarcoidosis is a complication of sarcoidosis in which inflammation occurs in the brain, spinal cord, and other areas of the nervous system.” About 10% of sarcoid patients will have such neurologic involvement. Neurosarcoidosis can affect any part or the nervous system, i.e. the central nervous system (CNS) that is comprised of the brain and spinal cord, as well as the peripheral nervous system that is comprised of all the nerves that send messages between the CNS and all the organs in the body. Sudden, facial weakness (facial palsy) is the most common neurological symptom and involves the nerves to the muscles of the face. Since any part of the nervous system may become affected by neurosarcoidosis, the symptoms can be quite varied both in kind and in number, which then requires that a wide variety of tests be considered to confirm a diagnosis. Neurologic involvement may involve a single nerve, multiple nerves, or a general area, and the onset of symptoms may be sudden or gradual.

    "Sarcoidosis involves almost every part of the body including the heart. Cardiac sarcoidosis is estimated to be present in 10-25 percent of patients with sarcoidosis." It can damage virtually any part of the heart and may strike down an apparently healthy person with no prior warning, leaving it to the local coroner to determine that the person’s demise was caused by cardiac sarcoidosis. Various types of CS include heart rhythm disorders, heart failure, coronary disease, and pericardial disease (pericarditis). Various drugs used to treat cardiac sarcoidosis include corticosteroids (Prednisone), immunosuppressants (methotrexate or azathioprine), and anti-malarials (Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine).




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    There is no single medical test or procedure that will absolutely diagnose the presence of sarcoidosis in a person. Normally, various tests and procedures are conducted, both to rule out other disease conditions and to confirm the presence of sarcoidosis in the patient. In addition, a complete medical history taking and thorough physical examination are a vital part of the diagnosis process.

    Some of the best known tests and procedures that may be performed include: a chest x-ray, CT scan, pulmonary function tests, bronchoscopy/transbronchial biopsy, and a gallium scan, all of which involve the lungs. Other tests that should/could be performed include: ophthalmic evaluation with slit lamp exam (eyes), electrocardiogram and thallium scan (heart), tuberculin and Kveim-Siltzbach tests (skin), and a biochemical panel (urine and blood) to evaluate kidney/liver functions and measure calcium levels.

  • Blood and urine tests are usually among the first steps taken to determine what, if any, medical problems a person may be experiencing. The complete blood count (CBC) will likely be done as well as a test to determine the level of serum angiotensin converting enzyme serum (SACE or ACE) in the blood, as that is an indicator of active sarcoidosis in many individuals. Along with the basic non-sterile urine sample you may provide before leaving the doctor's office, you may also be asked to collect your urine for a 24-hour period. This collection will be used to determine the level of calcium in your urine. Formation of excessive calcium in the bodies of those with sarcoidosis does occur in some instances and needs to be treated before severe complications arise.

  • The chest x-ray (CXR) is often one of the first procedures performed along with general blood and urine tests. It will provide the first general impression as to whether there are any abnormalities present in the lungs. When sarcoidosis is suspected, a Gallium scan may also be performed. The patient receives an intravenous injection of radioactive gallium and then returns 1-2 days later to be "scanned" by a machine that moves up and down above the body as the patient lies on an examination table.

    A CT scan (computed tomography), also called a CAT scan, of the thoracic (chest) area is performed by having the patient lie on a special platform that is rolled into a large "tube" where the "pictures" are taken. The patient's head will be near the opening of the machine. The only discomfort is from the hardness of the platform, the loudness of the machine, and the need to be very still and hold one's breath for certain intervals.

  • Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are breathing tests in which the patient must breath into various devices (by mouth) in various ways to measure breathing ability and lung capacity. Since 90% of all sarcoidians have lung involvement at some time and the level of involvement or activity may not be indicated on a lung x-ray, the PFTs can often assist in determining how much breathing impairment, if any, has occurred/is occurring.

  • A tuberculin skin test may be done to rule out the likelihood of tuberculosis. An additional skin test to determine the presence of sarcoidosis is sometimes done, but with decreasing regularity. It is called a Kveim-Siltzbach (or just Kveim) skin test. Sarcoid tissue, often from the spleen of someone who has sarcoidosis, is injected under the skin, and the results are read several weeks later to determine whether an granulomatous tissue has formed at the site.

  • Biopsy of lung tissue samples is often the most conclusive way to diagnosis sarcoidosis. The initial biopsy is usually a transbronchial biopsy that is performed in conjunction with a bronchoscopy. The patient will be lightly sedated and given some medication to numb the throat area. Then a tube with a small, lighted scope is inserted, usually through one of the nasal passages, and threaded into the lungs. Small tissue samples are taken during this procedure, but if they do not confirm/deny the presence of sarcoidosis, an open lung biopsy (via mediastinoscopy) may be required to verify diagnosis. During this procedure, the patient is anesthetized and an incision is made near the top of the breastbone. Larger tissue samples may be obtained from the lungs through the incision than via the bronchoscopic tube.

  • In all cases of suspected or confirmed sarcoidosis a complete eye examination is recommended. Sarcoidosis can often affect the eyes in a variety of ways--the most common condition is uveitis--that may not be readily detectable by the patient until permanent damage has occurred. Therefore, it is important that you have your eyes checked on a regular basis if you have sarcoid. Be sure to ask that the doctor perform a slit lamp exam during the visit.

  • Since cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis is most often determined only after a person dies from its effects, some doctors may wish to perform cardiac tests such as an electrocardiogram, thallium heart scan, etc. if there is any sign that the heart is involved. Other tests may be ordered based on symptoms relating to specific parts of the body that are suspected as having sarcoid involvement.


  • Check out the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research site for more information about these tests.



    Corticosteroids are the most common medications used to treat Sarcoidosis. They appear to be the most effective in relieving many of the symptoms of the disease. The most common corticosteroid is Prednisone, which can cause significant side effects and should only be used under the strict advice and supervision of your physician. Sometimes oral Prednisone is prescribed to be taken on alternating days so that the side effects are minimized. Inhaled corticosteroids, which are generally prescribed for chronic lung problems, are sometimes recommended over oral corticosteroids because they remain locally in the airway and thus cause fewer and lesser side effects (rinse and gargle with water after each use to prevent thrush; usage may also cause hoarseness and/or sore throat). The drawback is that there is little evidence that use of these inhaled corticosteroids results in any long-term improvement of sarcoid symptoms. Two of these inhaled corticosteroids include budesonide, which is known as Pulmicort in Australia and Rhinocort in the United States, and fluticasone propionate, which is known as Flixotide in Australia and Flovent or Flonase in the United States. Names of other corticosteroids include: triamcinolone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, beclomethasone, and deflazacort.

    According to an article that was published in the March 1997 issue of the Chest Journal, "Outcome in Sarcoidosis : The Relationship of Relapse to Corticosteroid Therapy", authors Gottlieb, Israel, Steiner, Triolo, and Patrick stated that "74% of patients who were adequately treated with systemic corticosteroids for severe symptoms of sarcoidosis appeared to be at lifetime risk for recurrence of disease. Because of the risk of relapse, we recommend at least semiannual visits for those patients who are or who have been treated with systemic corticosteroids. If corticosteroids predispose to clinical relapse, the implication would be to withhold treatment from patients with newly diagnosed sarcoidosis unless symptoms and disability were compelling, and a similarly conservative approach would be appropriate during relapse."

    Important Note: The Arthritis Foundation (among others) advises that people who take corticosteroids should NEVER decrease or stop them abruptly. Ceasing use of the drug must occur slowly with close supervision by a doctor. The reason is that the body does not produce its own cortisone when corticosteroid medications are present. If the drug was stopped abruptly, there would be no cortisone present in the body. This could be fatal. When corticosteroids are stopped gradually, over a period of weeks to months, it gives the body time to adjust and start producing cortisone on its own again. Patients taking corticosteroids should carry a card or preferably wear a bracelet indicating that they are taking a corticosteroid.

    Even though corticosteroids are the drugs of first choice in treating sarcoidosis, sometimes other drugs may need to be used with or in place of them. The corticosteroids are generally considered to be the most effective treatment, but they can have rather severe side effects or they may not be strong enough to suppress all the sarcoid symptoms by themselves. Therefore, there are other drugs that can be utilized either individually or in combination. The best known corticosteroids such as Prednisone and Prednisolone.

    Drugs in other classifications that have been used with mixed success include immunosuppressives such methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and cyclosporine and antimalarials such as hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, and colchicine. For the most part they may provide relief from some of the symptoms of sarcoidosis, but do not appear to have the overall beneficial effects of corticosteroids. For tables listing many of the drugs used against sarcoidosis, what they are used for, and how to use them, check out the Arthritis Foundation Website. It provides great information that is grouped into a half-dozen categories. One of the categories is DMARDs, a term I am beginning to see more often these days.

    For those like me who were not familiar with this designation, DMARD (disease-modifying antirheumatic drug) is a drug which can be used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A number of drugs are considered DMARDs, and they can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the specifics of a patient's situation and a doctor's usual approach to the treatment of RA. These drugs cannot cure rheumatoid arthritis, but they can keep a patient more comfortable, and prolong the time in which a patient enjoys full functionality. They can help the patient avoid complications of RA that tend to appear without DMARD treatment.

    In addition to being used in the treatment of RA, DMARDs can also be employed in the treatment of a number of autoimmune conditions. These drugs often have a suppressive effect on the immune system which is designed to prevent inflammation of the joints, thereby reducing joint damage. The prevention of inflammation preserves joint function and keeps joints healthier, thus reducing pain and stiffness for the patient. Therefore, both DMARDs and immunosuppressants are drugs that help to reduce inflammation and slow disease progression.




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    Uveitis, is one of the more common conditions related to having sarcoidosis and occurs in about 25% of those who have the disease. Very simply said, Uveitis is swelling and irritation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. The uvea provides most of the blood supply to the retina. Beyond that uveitis presents in several forms, some of which are closely connected to autoimmune diseases such as sarcoidosis. Because it is so common in those who have been diagnosed with sarcoidosis, anyone suspected of having sarcoid should undergo a complete eye exam to rule out or confirm its presence.

    According to the doctors at the Ocular Immunology and Uveitis Service at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear uveitis is the third leading cause of blindness in the United States. They further state that Uveitis is not a single disease. Inflammation in the eye may result from many different infectious agents. Or it may be a manifestation of various systemic disorders, including sarcoidosis, some arthritic syndromes and chronic intestinal diseases. It can also result from trauma to the eye. Uveitis is the most common eye problem encountered in people who have sarcoidosis. Uveitis based on autoimmunity is the most common form and tends to be recurrent.

    EyeSmart provides information from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The Web site contains substantial information about uveitis and contains a very nice diagram of the eye and its parts. The Casey Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology is located on the campus of the Oregon Health and Science University and contains the Uveitis Clinic. The Casey Eye Institute is one of the world's leading uveitis research centers and explains uveitis as follows. "Inflammation can occur anywhere in the body. In general, inflammation is the body's response to an injury. Inflammation always involves the recruitment of white blood cells from circulation to the site of injury. White blood cells normally circulate in the body and are vigilantly looking for an injury such as an infection or a wound. Although, uveitis can result from an infection, for most patients, uveitis is thought to be occurring because white blood cells are responding to a signal that injury is occurring even though no detectable infection is present. Since white blood cells are the major component of one's immune system, often times uveitis is appropriately described as an autoimmune disease, a disease in which the body's own immune system attacks or betrays itself."

    An article about Uveitis at the HealthAnswers Web site explained that the uvea is the middle layer of the eye, is very vascular and supplies blood to the retina. The most common form of uveitis is anterior uveitis which affects the iris at the front of the eye. This condition is also referred to as iritis or nongranulomatous uveitis. The disorder is associated with some autoimmune diseases, may affect only one eye, and is most common in young or middle-aged people.

    Posterior uveitis affects the back of the uveal tract and may involve the choroid cell layer or retinal cell layer or both. This condition is also known as granulomatous uveitis, choroiditis, choroidoretinitis, or sometimes just retinitis. The inflammation causes spotty areas of scarring that correspond to areas with vision loss. The degree of vision loss depends upon the amount and location of the scarring. It can involve one or both eyes and is the form of uveitis most often associated with sarcoidosis and a number of other specific diseases. Posterior uveitis is likely to last for months or even years and may cause permanent vision damage even with early treatment.

    Important Note: If a person is even suspected of having sarcoidosis, he/she should have a complete eye examination including a slit lamp exam. If sarcoidosis is confirmed, the individual should have a minimum of yearly eye exams and should have an exam at any other time that there is unusual dryness, scratchiness, or other symptoms that are out of the ordinary. Uveitis can often be quite advanced by the time obvious symptoms appear. Therefore, it is very important for individuals to act promptly if they have sarcoid and notice any unusual sensations in their eyes.




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    IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ANYONE WITH ACTIVE SARCOIDOSIS! - If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, read on. The information provided here just may save your life.

    • Do you believe that you do have or may have active sarcoidosis symptoms?
    • Are you searching for a sarcoidosis specialist and/or sarcoidosis clinic?
    • Do you have an urgent need to be seen by a sarcoidosis specialist?
    • Are you able to travel to Cleveland, Ohio (if you aren't sure where Ohio is located in the U.S., the graphic of the U.S. shown here shows Ohio in red)?

    Cleveland Clinic
    Cleveland
    Northern Ohio


    Please understand that I am not advocating that anyone use the services of any particular sarcoid doctor or clinic, but when I visited the Website for Cleveland Clinic, I was immediately excited. If you are just at the level of seeking information about sarcoidosis and hospitals/clinics that specialize in the disease, visit "Answering Your Questions About Sarcoidosis" where you can download an informational guide about sarcoidosis and view several in-depth videos that will provide further information. If you then wish to schedule an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic, there is a box at the bottom of the page that lists a toll free number and states that "to minimize multiple trips to Cleveland Clinic for diagnosis, our schedulers arrange appointments with various specialists and tests within a few days."

    If you decide that you have an urgent need to see one of the specialists at Cleaveland Clinic right away, visit their Web page, "Same-Day Appointments" where you will find this proviso: "Cleveland Clinic now offers same-day appointments. In most cases, depending on the level of care you need and the time of day when you call [before noon], you'll be seen by a physician that day." The page provides extensive information about the services they provide and locations where the services are offered.

    For a myriad of other information about sarcoidosis and the Cleveland Clinic, be sure to run your mouse along the dark gray bar at the top of most pages on the Website. Numerous listings of links to other pages will drop down and be just a click away. There are a number of other good sarcoidosis clinics in this country now, but some of them have really "user UNfriendly" Websites where a user can go "round and round" the Website without ever finding the information they are seeking. If the Cleveland Clinic and its staff are anywhere near as good as their Website, those of us with sarcoidosis have found a real winner.




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    Compiled by Chris Townsend, Sarcoid Connection
    cmtown@excite.com
    Last modified on November 12, 2012