Vitrectomy for uveitis in patients with Behçet's disease

Purpose: To investigate the effects of vitrectomy on the visual prognosis in patients with Behçet's disease. Methods: Seven eyes of 7 patients with Behçet's disease that had been treated with vitrectomy were studied retrospectively. The indications for vitrectomy were disc neovascularization with macular traction and vitreous hemorrhage (2 eyes), persistent vitreous hemorrhage (2 eyes), or tractional retinal detachment (3 eyes). Six patients were treated with systemic corticosteroid medication to decrease the risk of a postoperative attack. Intraoperative triamcinolone acetonide was used in 2 patients. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuities and number of ocular attacks were evaluated. The postoperative observation period ranged from 11 to 69 months. Results: The incidence of postoperative ocular attacks was not increased in any of the 5 patients whose incidence of preoperative attacks was known, and it was decreased in 4 patients. Improved visual acuities were maintained during the observation period in 6 patients. The exception was a patient with tractional retinal detachment that was not resolved by the operation. Conclusion: Vitrectomy did not increase the incidence of ocular attacks, and it had a favorable effect on the visual prognosis for these patients with Behçet's disease.