An unusual case of uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema syndrome

PURPOSE: To report a case of uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema (UGH) syndrome in which anterior chamber paracentesis led to the diagnosis of sickle cell trait. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: A 43-year-old Cuban pseudophakic male was seen multiple times over a 3-year period complaining of floaters and blurry vision in his left eye. He was noted to have an inferotemporally displaced posterior chamber intraocular lens and recurrent microhyphemas with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) readings between 29 and 46 mm Hg with each episode. He was diagnosed with UGH syndrome. Posterior chamber intraocular lens explantation and anterior chamber washout was performed. The aqueous fluid was submitted for cytopathologic examination. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the patient's symptoms resolved and he had no further hemorrhages or elevated IOP readings. Cytopathology of the aspirate revealed sickled red blood cells. CONCLUSIONS: Microscopic examination of aqueous fluid can be a valuable tool in diagnosing ophthalmic manifestations of systemic disease.