Ocular manifestations of Behcet's disease.

Ocular complications of Behcet's disease are considered one of the major cr iteria upon which the diagnosis is based. The ocular disease is characteriz ed by repeated, explosive ocular inflammatory attacks which can healed spon taneously. During in-between attacks there is little or no evidence of infl ammation 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 dise ase. The fundus changes most frequently encountered are hyperhemia of the o ptic nerve, macular edema, retinal edema, vascular sheathing retinal exudat e, and retinal hemorrhages. Complications of the inflammation include retin al and optic disc atrophy, neovascular glaucoma, vitreous hemorrhage, retin al detachment. Treatment is with topical steroids, systemic medications, in cluding corticosteroids, colchicine, and immunosuppressive drugs. These com plications are sight threatening and require a close follow up and a collab oration between ophthalmologists and Internal Medicine physicians.