Papers of the Week

Bilateral acute iris transillumination (BAIT) is a relatively new clinical entity characterized by bilateral acute loss of iris pigment epithelium, iris transillumination, pigment dispersion in the anterior chamber, and sphincter paralysis. BAIT has been easily confused with other types of anterior uveitis because of pigment dispersion in the anterior chamber and some symptoms including pain, photophobia, and red eye, which is similar to those in the other types of anterior uveitis. However, inflammatory findings in these patients are not as marked as in those with other types of anterior uveitis. Therefore, systemic corticosteroid is generally not required for the treatment of pure BAIT patients because of limited intraocular inflammation. BAIT can also cause severe intraocular pressure (IOP) rise, which sometimes necessitates glaucoma surgery. Systemic corticosteroids can also increase the existing intraocular pressure rise in patients with BAIT. Therefore, it should not be used in these patients.