Posterior segment optical coherence tomography: A diagnostic aid in posterior uveitis

Abstract

Background: Patients with posterior uveitis can develop vision-threatening complications. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of these complications. Aims: The objectives of this study were to describe different retinal morphological characteristics presenting on OCT in patients with posterior uveitis, with an aim to facilitate early diagnosis to initiate specific treatment and also to observe the response to treatment. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional prospective non-randomized study was undertaken at a tertiary eye care hospital. The study included 30 eyes of 30 patients with posterior uveitis between the period of May 2016 and May 2018. All subjects underwent a set of systemic investigations for etiological diagnosis and complete ophthalmic examination, including OCT (Zeiss Cirrus machine (model number 5000)] imaging). Data were collected and analyzed. A P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean patient age was 33.1 ± 4.2 years. Infectious etiology was diagnosed in 13 patients (43.33%) of which toxoplasma chorioretinitis (36.66%) was the most common infection. Among 17 patients with noninfectious uveitis (56.66%), Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease and multifocal choroiditis (16.67% each) were the most common causes. RPE-Bruch’s membrane abnormalities were seen in 96.67% of patients. Subretinal detachment (26.67%) was the most common type of macular edema on OCT. Significant differences in central foveal thickness posttreatment were noted in cases with VKH syndrome and toxoplasma retinochoroiditis (P < 0.05). Conclusion: OCT is a useful tool complementary to conventional fundus photography and fluorescein angiography in patients with posterior uveitis.

Keywords

• posterior segment optical coherence tomography
• posterior uveitis
• retinal complications