[Ocular manifestations of Behçet's disease]

Ocular complications of Behçet's disease are considered one of the major criteria upon which the diagnosis is based. The ocular disease is characterized by repeated, explosive ocular inflammatory attacks which can healed spontaneously. During in-between attacks there is little or no evidence of inflammation in the eyes. The anterior segment can be involved alone presenting as a severe anterior uveitis with hypopyon. Posterior pole involvement is often sight threatening presenting as recurrent retinal vaso-occlusive disease. The fundus changes most frequently encountered are hyperhemia of the optic nerve, macular edema, retinal edema, vascular sheathing retinal exudate, and retinal hemorrhages. Complications of the inflammation include retinal and optic disc atrophy, neovascular glaucoma, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment. Treatment is with topical steroids, systemic medications, including corticosteroids, colchicine, and immunosuppressive drugs. These complications are sight threatening and require a close follow up and a collaboration between ophthalmologists and Internal Medicine physicians.