%0 Journal Article
%T Correlation between Ocular Manifestations and Their Complications as Opposed to Visual Acuity and Treatment in Behcet's Disease
%A Jelena Paovic
%A Predrag Paovic
%A Vojislav Sredovic
%J Autoimmune Diseases
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/842673
%X The aim of this study was to analyze ocular manifestations, their complications, and treatment in a sample of 40 patients with confirmed Behcet¡¯s disease. Results. Serofibrinous iridocyclitis was the most common form of uveitis (60%). Retinal periphlebitis manifested in 92.5% of cases, and periphlebitis in conjunction with periarteritis was diagnosed in 72.5% of cases. Macular edema was the most frequent complication on the posterior segment (60%) and it correlated with periphlebitis ( ) and periphlebitis associated with periarteritis ( ). Cyclosporine A and corticosteroids were used in the majority of cases (67%). Following six months of therapy, a significant improvement of visual acuity occurred in patients with initial visual acuity >0.5 on both eyes. Level of visual acuity before and after treatment had a strong significant correlation coefficient with various ocular complications. Previously proven significant increase of visual acuity in patients with macular edema depicts effectiveness of treatment in these types of ocular manifestations of Behcet¡¯s disease. Conclusions. Significant improvement of visual acuity occurred in patients with initial visual acuity >0.5 on both eyes. The highest increase in visual acuity was achieved by laser photocoagulation in combination with triamcinolone acetonide . 1. Introduction Behcet¡¯s disease is anidiopathic, multisystem inflammatory chronic relapsing disorder, systemic occlusive vasculitis, which affects veins and arteries of all sizes. Disease is characterized by episodic inflammation which may affect every tissue and organ in the body [1¨C6]. International Study Group for Behcet¡¯s Disease has established diagnostic criteria: ocular lesions, oral aphthosis, and genital aphthosis are each assigned 2 points, while skin lesions, central nervous system involvement, and vascular manifestations 1 point each. The pathergy test, when used, was assigned 1 point. A patient scoring ¡Ý4 points is classified as having Behcet¡¯s disease [7]. Behcet¡¯s disease has been associated with HLA-B51 phenotype, but the strength of this association varies worldwide [8¨C18]. Ocular features of Behcet¡¯s disease manifest as anterior uveitis and retinal vasculitis (both veins and arteries) which result in progressive, irreversible, ischemic damage of the retina and optic nerve. Ocular involvement occurs in approximately 70% of patients and is associated with high risk of blindness [19¨C22]. Cataract, secondary glaucoma, optic disc atrophy, and macular edema are the most common complications in Behcet¡¯s disease leading to decrease of vision
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ad/2013/842673/