AIM: To investigate the causes of diagnostic errors by analyzing the 15 cases of Vogt-koyanagi-harada(VKH)syndrome.

METHODS: Data of 15 cases with VKH syndrome, collected from our out-patient clinic from January 2005 to December 2010, were analyzed retrospectively to find out the causes of diagnostic errors.

RESULTS: The misdiagnosis rate was as high as 80% in 15 cases. The common misdiagnosis was conjunctivitis, papillovasculitis, maculopathy, posterior scleritis, glaucoma-iridocyclitis syndrome, serous retinitis, keratitis, and uveitis. Of 15 cases,visual acuity of 5 cases were lower than 0.3 due to not timely and accurate treatment.

CONCLUSION: The misdiagnosis of VKH syndrome are related mainly with having not acquired medical history in detail, having not recognized the clinical symptom's features and the general manifestation of the VKH syndrome. The diagnostic ability for the VKH syndrome should be improved urgently.