A patient with Behcet's disease involving the eye may develop significant visual impairment. Takeuchi et al identified factors associated with a poor visual outcome. The authors are from Tokyo Medical University.
Behcet's disease may result in blindness in some patients.
Factors associated with poor visual outcome (visual acuity <= 20/200):
(1) >= 4 ocular attacks per year ("recurrent type")
(2) presence of strong vitreous opacity
(3) exudates within the retinal vascular arcade
A patient with Behcet's disease should have regular ophthalmologic exams. A patient who is found to have risk factors for visual impairment may be a candidate for interventions ot reduce ocular inflammation and damage.
A small percent of patients with Behcet's disease develop glaucoma, which also may affect visual outcome.
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