Purpose: To present severe involvements of Borrelia burgdorferi in the etiology of uveitis, optic neuritis and other ocular inflammatory conditions.
Methods: IgM and IgG antibodies for Borrelia burgdorferi were detected by ELISA. Since May 1995 we have examined 78 patients for borreliosis.
Results: Borreliosis was diagnosed in 11 patients (4 males, 7 females; aged 7 to 48). 7 persons remembered being bitten by a tick, 3 months to 3 years before the onset of ocular symptoms. All patients had systemic symptoms and signs. Ocular manifestations were as follows: nonspecific chronic conjunctivitis in 4 patients, keratitis in 2, diminished corneal sensation in 1, iritis in 1, intermediate uveitis and perivasculitis in 1, posterior uveitis in 3, retinal haemorrhage in 1, optic neuritis in 1, optic disc oedema in 2, sixth nerve paresis in 1 patient.
Conclusions: We emphasize the importance of performing serological tests for borreliosis in patients with uveitis, inflammatory diseases of unknown etiology, optic neuritis and other neuro-ophthalmic conditions.