Ocular Involvement

Abstract

Ocular involvement in Behçet's disease (BD) is characterized by recurrent explosive attacks of intraocular infl ammation, including iridocyclitis, hypopyon, chorioretinitis, retinal vasculitis, retinal vein occlusion, optic neuritis, retinal neovascularization, and vitreous hemorrhage, while uveitis is more common in young males. Retinal disease, especially occlusive retinal vasculitis, is one of the most serious complications and can lead to permanent retinal damage and visual impairment. Colchicine, cyclosporine, corticosteroid, azathioprine, and other immunosuppressive agents are generally used to manage ocular infl ammatory attacks. Recently, antitumor necrosis factor-α agents have been shown to dramatically reduce the frequency of ocular attacks in BD patients with refractory uveoretinitis, indicating it as a promising therapy for ocular BD.