OPHTHALMIC INVOLVEMENT IN BEHCETS-DISEASE - ABOUT 520 CASES

Purpose The aim of this paper is to compare our results with the liter ature and to discuss some therapeutical aspects of the disease. Method s This retrospective study concerned 520 cases of Behcet's disease fol lowed by internal diseases department and ophthalmology service of U.H .C. Averroes (Casablanca, Morocco) during 10 years. Results There were 432 men (83%) and 88 women (17%). The mean age of the patients was 20 years. Ophthalmological involvements are found in 80%, bilateral in 6 0%. The disease occurred at the rate of 2 or 3 episodes a year in 5% o f cases. Irreversible blindness was noted in 24.4% of cases, predomina tely panuveitis in 37%, of cases, anterior uveitis in 36.3% and retina l vasculitis in 37% of cases. Good results were a medical care with co rticoids and chloraminophen in case of threatening blindness. Conclusi on Behcet's disease remains frequent in our country. It requires early diagnosis and steady ophthalmological surveillance in order to delay onset of blindness.