Evaluation of Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Fuchs' Uveitis Syndrome.

Ozlem Balci,Mustafa Ozsutcu

doi:10.1155/2016/1657078

Abstract

Purpose. We aimed to investigate retinal and choroidal thickness in the eyes of patients with Fuchs' uveitis syndrome (FUS). Methods. Fifteen patients with unilateral FUS and 20 healthy control subjects were enrolled. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis HRA+OCT, 870 nm; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) was used to obtain retinal and choroidal thickness measurements. The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, macular thickness, and choroidal thickness of the eyes with FUS were compared with the unaffected eye and the eyes of healthy control subjects. Results. The mean choroidal thickness at fovea and at each point within the horizontal nasal and temporal quadrants at 500 μm intervals to a distance of 1500 µm from the foveal center was significantly thinner in the affected eye of FUS patients compared with the unaffected eye of FUS patients or the eyes of healthy control subjects. However, there were no significant differences in RNFL or macular thickness between groups. Conclusions. Affected eyes in patients with FUS tend to have thinner choroids as compared to eyes of unaffected fellow eyes and healthy individuals, which might be a result of the chronic inflammation associated with the disease.

Highlights

Fuchs’ uveitis syndrome (FUS) is an intraocular inflammatory condition that is unilateral in about 90% of cases and involves the vitreous humor, lens, optic disc, and anterior segment [1]
We found choroidal thinning at fovea and at each point within the horizontal nasal and temporal quadrants in the affected eyes of FUS patients compared with the unaffected eyes of FUS patients or the eyes of control subjects, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thickness values
In FUS patients, chronic low-grade anterior segment inflammation can persist for years, leading to various degrees of atrophy of the iris and ciliary body

Summary

Introduction

Fuchs’ uveitis syndrome (FUS) is an intraocular inflammatory condition that is unilateral in about 90% of cases and involves the vitreous humor, lens, optic disc, and anterior segment [1]. Diagnostic criteria include diffusely scattered stellate granulomatous keratic precipitates, chronic low-grade anterior chamber reactions, iris stromal atrophy with or without heterochromia, vitreous cells and debris, absence of posterior synechiae, and cystoid macular edema [21]. Pathological studies show a combination of inflammatory, degenerative, and atrophic changes. The iris and ciliary body show low-grade chronic inflammatory cell infiltration of lymphocytes and plasma cells. Lymphocytes are the predominant infiltrating cells, plasma cells, eosinophils, mast cells, and Russell bodies have all been described. The iris and ciliary body are atrophic with fibrosis and obliteration of the vascular endothelium and a reduced number of melanocytes. Degenerative changes are observed in the inner wall of Schlemm’s canal and in nerve fibers [22, 23]

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