Long-term Change of Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness in Behçet's Disease Patients with Posterior Uveitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term changes of subfoveal choroidal thickness (SCT) in Behçet's disease (BD) patients with posterior uveitis.

METHODS: Changes in SCT measured with enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography during quiescent phase were assessed during >24 months in 63 BD patients and control group.

RESULTS: Baseline characteristics showed no difference, but the BD group showed poorer visual acuity (p = 0.013) and smaller SCT (p = 0.006) at final examination. Mean SCT in the BD group decreased from 291.0 to 268.1 μm (p<0.001) during the mean period of 38.5 months. Mean change rate of SCT in the BD group was greater than controls (-7.2 vs 2.0 μm/year; p<0.001) and was associated with longer active inflammation (p<0.001). Patients with longer disease duration showed smaller baseline SCT (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: In BD patients, choroidal thickness decreased over time, which was associated with length of active inflammation. It suggests intraocular inflammation in BD affects the choroid as well as the retina.