Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is defined as a bilateral granulomatous panuveitis, with or without extraocular manifestations, affecting young adults. Vogt in 1906 and Koyanagi in 1929 described the same disorder independently. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH disease) affects the eyes, ears, nervous system, and skin.

Understanding the Context

The symptoms of VKH occur in different phases. The early symptoms include headaches, eye pain, and dizziness. These are followed by hearing loss and inflammation of the eye (panuveitis). VKH is thought to be a T-cell driven autoimmune response against melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the body.

Key Insights

6 This leads to a complex multisystem inflammatory reaction. While the exact pathogenesis isn’t fully understood, the disease targets specific antigens associated with melanocytes, melanin and the retinal pigment epithelium. 6 Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease (VKH) is a multisystem disease of presumed autoimmune cause that affects melanin -pigmented tissues. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKH) is a multisystem disease that presents with a combination of ophthalmological, neurological, and dermatological signs and symptoms. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is a multisystemic disorder characterized by granulomatous panuveitis with exudative retinal detachments that is often associated with neurologic and...

Final Thoughts

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is an idiopathic immune-related disease that affects multiple systems and melanocytes in organs such as the uvea, ear, and meninges. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) Disease is a systemic autoimmune condition characterized by bilateral non-necrotizing granulomatous panuveitis associated with extraocular integumentary changes, such as poliosis and vitiligo, and inflammation affecting the uvea, inner ear, hair, and meninges.