Cataract Extraction on One Seeing Eye in Patient with Behcet’s Disease

Introduction: Behcet’s disease is autoimmune relapsing systemic vasculitis of unknown that can cause uveitis and affect the anterior and posterior segment of the eye. Cataract is the most common complication of anterior segment caused by recurrent uveitis. This case was to report the outcomes and complications of cataract surgery in patients with Behcet's disease.

Case report: A of 35 years old man complained progressive visual loss since 6 months before admission with VA 1 meter finger counting and NLP. There was history of recurrent redness on both eyes accompanied by blurred vision and pain, oral aphtosis and genital aphtosis since three years before admission but didn’t seek help because of low access to healthcare in his previous home. From anterior segment examination there was posterior synechia, cloudy lens, pupil secclusion, rubeosis iridis, flare and cell suggesting chronic uveitis. There was elevated IOP of 43.4 mmHg on left eye. Retinal vasculitis was found on posterior segment examination.

Results: After combination of methylprednisolone and azathioprine for one year, there were improvement of quieter condition on both eyes and decreased left eye IOP of 37.2 mmHg. Lens extraction with iris retractor was done after three months of no inflammatory response. Despite uneventfull surgery and combination of immunosupresive medication, the visual acuity are not much improved and there was optic atrophy from the complication of chronic Behcet’s disease.

Conclusion: In patient with chronic Behcet’s disease, ocular involvement can affect both anterior and posterior segments with poor visual outcome regarding its complication