National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis


Other Names:
FHI; Fuchs heterochromic cyclitis; Fuchs heterochromic uveitis
Categories:
Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis (FHI) is an unusual form of chronic (long-lasting) uveitis. Uveitis is swelling and irritation of the middle layer of the eye. Diagnosis of FHI is considered in people with floaters, vision loss, and heterochromia. FHI often affects young adults and most often involves a single eye. People with FHI are at risk for cataract, glaucoma, and vitreous opacity (clouding of the jelly-like substance in the eyeball).[2]  The cause of FHI is not known.[1] Click here to view a diagram of the eye.
Last updated: 9/2/2014

Living with a genetic or rare disease can impact the daily lives of patients and families. These resources can help families navigate various aspects of living with a rare disease.

Financial Resources

  • Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN Foundation) has Assistance Programs for those with health insurance who reside in the United States. The disease fund status can change over time, so you may need to check back if funds are not currently available. 

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. Velilla S, Dios E, Herreras JM, Calonge M. Fuchs' heterochromic iridocyclitis: a review of 26 cases. Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2001 Sep; 9(3):169-75. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11815885. Accessed 9/2/2014.
  2. Liu Y, Takusagawa HL, Chen TC, Pasquale LR. Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis and the rubella virus. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2011 Fall; 51(4):1-12. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21897135.