Impact of Ocular Complications on Visual Outcomes in Adult Patients With Uveitis.

Maria Del Mar Prieto Del Cura,Juan Jacobo Gonzalez-Guijarro

doi:10.7759/cureus.21370

Abstract

BackgroundIn this study, we aimed to assess the impact of ocular complications on visual outcomes in uveitis.MethodologyWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of 474 uveitis patients (655 eyes) with a mean age of 52.4 years who were followed for a median of 32 months (range: 8-80 months).ResultsAt least one ocular complication was found in 317 eyes (48.4%), 161 of which were present at the time of diagnosis (prevalent complication). Although having an ocular complication was associated with a mean loss of 1.7 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) lines, the best-corrected visual acuity increased at the end of the study. Complications causing a decrease of ≥2 ETDRS lines were prevalent macular and peripheral retinal diseases, as well as new-onset corneal lesions, intraocular pressure alterations, and peripheral retinal diseases.ConclusionsThe impact of the most frequent complications (cataract and macular edema) did not reach two ETDRS lines. Macular diseases at presentation were the main risk factor for visual loss at the end of follow-up.

Highlights

Uveitis is a term used to describe a group of intraocular inflammatory diseases that can occur at any age but predominantly affect patients in the working-age group
At least one ocular complication was found in 317 eyes (48.4%), 161 of which were present at the time of diagnosis
Having an ocular complication was associated with a mean loss of 1.7 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) lines, the best-corrected visual acuity increased at the end of the study

Summary

Introduction

Uveitis is a term used to describe a group of intraocular inflammatory diseases that can occur at any age but predominantly affect patients in the working-age group. Uveitis can cause devastating visual loss and is the fifth most common cause of visual loss in the developed world, accounting for up to 20% of legal blindness in the Western world and 25% in developing countries [35]. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined blindness as the best-corrected vision in the better eye of less than 3/60 or a visual field of ≤10°. Severe visual impairment is defined as the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the better eye of 3/60 or more, but less than 6/60 or a visual field ≤20°. Blindness caused by uveitis is potentially treatable. With a majority of patients in the working-age group, the impact on the quality of life and the potential social and economic costs are tremendous [6,7]. We aimed to assess the impact of ocular complications on visual outcomes in uveitis

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