Retinal tears associated with panuveitis and Behcet's disease

To report retinal tears formation in 3 eyes of 2 patients with active panuv eitis and Behcet's disease. We describe 2 patients that were diagnosed and treated for Behcet's disease with active panuveitis. Retinal tears develope d while the inflammation was active, The patients were treated with topical , oral steroids, and cyclosporine therapy for bilateral panuveitis. One pat ient: presented with a retinal tear located at the periphery of the active retinal lesion. The other had multiple tears associated with active retinal lesions in both eyes. Argon laser photocoagulation was performed in both p atients as soon as the tears were detected. Ocular inflammation was control led with this therapy, and only a few mild flare-ups occurred. The patients have been followed up for 8 and 16 months, respectively. During this perio d no new retinal tears have developed. Although retinal tear formation is r arely associated with Behcet's panuveitis, the clinician should be aware of this as a possible complication. When structural changes are present in th e vitreous, detailed ophthalmoscopy is indicated to assess for retinal tear s. Ifa tear is detected in a patient with panuveitis and Behcet's disease, laser photocoagulation therapy should be performed immediately to prevent r etinal detachment.