Cogan syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease that can affect the cornea.
Eye pain, decreased vision, increased sensitivity to bright light, and redness of the eye are common symptoms.
Diagnosis is by a doctor's evaluation and blood tests to rule out other diseases.
Treatment is with corticosteroid eye drops and corticosteroid pills.
Cogan syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the eyes, the ears, and sometimes the blood vessels (vasculitis). An autoimmune disorder is a malfunction of the body's immune system that causes the body to attack its own tissues. When Cogan syndrome affects the blood vessels, it can cause a life-threatening problem called aortitis.
Cogan syndrome can affect different parts of the eye, including the cornea. The cornea is the clear layer in front of the iris and pupil. It protects the iris and lens and helps focus light on the retina. It is composed of cells, protein, and fluid. The cornea looks fragile but is almost as stiff as a fingernail. However, it is very sensitive to touch.
An Inside Look at the Eye
Symptoms of Cogan Syndrome
People can develop eye pain, decreased vision, increased sensitivity to bright light, and redness of the eye. If the ears are affected, people can develop hearing loss, ringing in the ears, vertigo, and a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ears. If the blood vessels are affected, people can have heart murmurs and claudication (pain in the limbs during physical activity).
Diagnosis of Cogan Syndrome
An eye examination
The diagnosis of Cogan syndrome is suspected when a person has symptoms of corneal inflammation without any known cause. A slit lamp, an instrument that enables a doctor to examine the eye under high magnification, is usually used to examine the cornea.
Blood tests for syphilis, Lyme disease, and the Epstein-Barr virus are done to rule out these diseases, which may have symptoms similar to those of Cogan syndrome.
Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is done.
Treatment of Cogan Syndrome
Corticosteroid eye drops
Sometimes corticosteroids given by mouth
A corticosteroid eye drop is given to decrease inflammation in the cornea. If there is no improvement, if the inflammation is very deep, if the ear is affected, or if blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis or aortitis
