Pattern of uveitis in Behçet’s disease patients from a highly specialized university hospital-based tertiary care eye unit

Aim of the work

To determine the frequency and pattern of ocular manifestations including uveitis associated with Behcet’s disease (BD) in patients referred to a hospital-based tertiary care eye unit.

Patients and methods

This study included BD patients referred to the Uveitis Clinic, Cairo University Hospitals. Patterns of systemic and ocular disease were documented. Treatment and complications occurring during follow-up were added.

Results

The study included 113 patients (208 eyes). 86 % were males and 14 % females. Their mean age was 32.1 ± 9.5 years. Time lapse from diagnosis to referral was 3.8 ± 4.9 years. 15.9 % had unilateral eye involvement and 84.1 % bilateral. Most common presentation was panuveitis in 64.4 % of eyes, whereas 22.6 % presented with isolated posterior uveitis and 12 % with anterior uveitis. Vasculitis was a common finding at presentation in 27.4 %. During the course of ocular disease the most frequent complication was cataract in 27.4 % and 33 % of patients did not develop complications. At presentation, 47.6 % of eyes were worsening despite treatment, 28.8 % were stationary, 16.3 % were controlled and 7.2 % were improving. The mean best corrected visual acuity dropped from 0.48 ± 2.36 to 0.29 ± 0.32 between presentation and last follow up. Visual acuity was significantly reduced in those with panuveitis and optic neuritis (p < 0.001). End-stage eye disease was present in 7.2 % at presentation.

Conclusion

Ocular Behcet’s is a frequent finding, especially panuveitis. Retinal vasculitis is not uncommon. Delayed referral to tertiary care eye unit remains a loop hole in the health care system. Cataract is a common complication during the course of the disease.