Asymptomatic Progression of Ocular Behçet's Disease

Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017 Jan 1;48(1):18-35. doi: 10.3928/23258160-20161219-03.

Abstract

Background and objective: To emphasize the importance of auxiliary exams to detect progression of ocular Behçet's disease (BD) in asymptomatic patients.

Patients and methods: This was a retrospective review of the clinical records of a consecutive series of patients with BD and asymptomatic visual deterioration, imaged on fundus photograph (FP), visual field (VF), fluorescein angiography (FA), and optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Results: Patients presented with no clinical findings or with mild inflammation on ophthalmic examination. However, during follow-up, VF examination indicated a progressive enlargement of previously visualized scotomas. On FA, the authors detected leakage and ischemia. On OCT, there was macular anatomical disruption, and the FP showed areas of atrophic retina.

Conclusion: In patients with ocular BD, the visual acuity deterioration may be asymptomatic and progressive. This should justify the importance of early and sequential ancillary exams in the management of BD patients to detect subclinical ocular involvement. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:18-25.].

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Asymptomatic Diseases
  • Behcet Syndrome / complications*
  • Behcet Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Retina / pathology*
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Uveitis / diagnosis
  • Uveitis / etiology*