Behcet's disease: 10-year experience at the Sydney Eye Hospital
Purpose
to determine the demographics, clinical features as well as causes of visual morbidity in patients with Behcet’s associated Inflammatory Eye Disease (IED).
Methods
a retrospective case series from the Sydney Eye Hospital Database in patients who fulfilled the International Study Group (ISG) classification for Behcet’s disease. Data recorded included age of onset, ethnicity, country of birth, visual acuity in LogMar, the anatomical location of inflammation as well as complications. Visual morbidity was recorded as moderate or severe (VA 6/12 – 6/60; LogMAR +0.30 to +1.00) or severe vision loss < 6/60; LogMAR > +1.00) without improvement during observation period.
Results
27 patients (out of 1728 patients seen) were diagnosed with Behcet’s associated IED; affecting 43 eyes. The median age at presentation was 38 (IQR 33 to 53.50) with a female gender predominance (n=15; 60%). The mean length of follow-up was 5.9 years. Panuveitis and retinitis (n=10; 39%; n =10; 39%) were the two most common ocular manifestations followed by anterior uveitis (17%). 15 eyes had moderate or severe vision loss which occurred within the first year of diagnosis (7.2 months SE 4.1). The most common cause of ocular morbidity were CMO (n =6; 40%), fibrosis secondary to occlusive vasculitis (n=50; 33%), BRVO (n= 2; 13%).
Conclusion
Behcet’s disease, while a rare cause of IED in Australia, is associated with significant visual morbidity. Early introduction of biologics and interferon therapy may alter the cause of disease.
Conflict of interest
No
Author 1
Last name
YATES
Initials of first name(s)
W
Department
Save Sight Institute, The University of Sydney
City
Sydney
Country
Australia
Author 2
Last name
Zagora
Initials of first name(s)
S
Department
Save Sight Institute
City
Sydney
Country
Australia
Author 3
Last name
Wakefield
Initials of first name(s)
D
Department
School of Medical Sciences, UNSW
City
Sydney
Country
Australia
Author 4
Last name
McCluskey
Initials of first name(s)
P
Department
Save Sight Institute
City
Sydney
Country
Australia
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