Thickness Changes in Foveal, Macular, and Ganglion Cell Complex Regions Associated with Behçet Uveitis during Remission

Abstract

Patients with Behçet uveitis in remission showed insignificant decreases in foveal and macular thickness and significant increases in perifoveal GCC thickness compared to controls. The increased perifoveal GCC thickness may result from macular ischemia persisting in remission.

Ocular Manifestations of Behçet’s Disease: An Update on Diagnostic Challenges and Disease Management

“…Behçet’s uveitis is defined as a chronic relapsing bilateral nongranulomatous panuveitis and retinal vasculitis [ 9 ]. BU can affect both the anterior and the posterior segment of the eye; however, panuveitis is the most frequent presentation [ 26 ]. Only 10% of patients—most of whom are women—present with an isolated anterior uveitis [ 25 , 27 ].…”

“…Breakage of the blood–retinal barrier due to inflammation results in perifoveal capillary leakage that causes cystoid macular edema (CME) and further macular structural changes. Vascular leakage is observed within the optic disc, peripheral retina, and macula [ 10 , 14 , 26 , 29 ]. CME is diagnosed in up to 60% of BU cases [ 30 ] and poses a potential threat of vision loss [ 2 , 9 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…Vascular leakage is observed within the optic disc, peripheral retina, and macula [ 10 , 14 , 26 , 29 ]. CME is diagnosed in up to 60% of BU cases [ 30 ] and poses a potential threat of vision loss [ 2 , 9 , 26 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…CMT decreases with the number of uveitis attacks. The authors speculated that the GCC perifoveal thickness increases due to the occlusive changes in the superficial capillaries and local limited ischemia and may decrease later as a consequence of cell loss, which had already happened in the parafoveal area [ 26 ].…”

“…Both the anterior and the posterior segment of the eye can be affected by inflammation; however controlling the posterior uveitis is the most crucial factor to preserve the best possible visual acuity [ 26 ]. There have been developed various therapy schemes of local, and systemic treatment that depend on the affected structures and severity of the disease [ 7 ].…”