[Ocular manifestation in patients with tuberculosis]

To analyze clinical findings of ocular tuberculosis and its epidemiological features.

Were reviewed clinical files of patients who attended the Ophthalmology-Uveitis and AIDS sector of UNIFESP-EPM, São Paulo, Brazil between January 1999 and July 2002 and had a diagnosis of ocular tuberculosis. Patients who had Mantoux test higher than 10 mm, epidemiological history of tuberculosis and ocular findings that improved after specific treatment were included.

Seventeen medical files were analyzed, of those, 12 (70.6%) were females. The mean age was 54 (24-84) years. The average time between symptoms and diagnosis was 100 days. Ocular findings at the first interview were multiple but most were at the anterior segment of the eye and 41% of patients who had clinical findings that suggested tuberculosis other than ocular. Situations as glaucoma, retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage were responsible for reduction of visual acuity.

Ocular tuberculosis showed a low prevalence but important visual loosing morbidity. The multiplicity of clinical findings is responsible for the delay of diagnosis.