Purpose:
To evaluate the changes in macular and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness with optic coherence tomography (OCT) during active inflammation period and after recovery in eyes with acute anterior uveitis (AAU) and to compare them with the patients’ healthy eyes.
Material and Method:
Twenty-two consecutive patients diagnosed with unilateral AAU in the Uvea Department of our hospital were included in this study. OCT measurements were taken with ‘Stratus OCT fast macular thickness map’ program and ‘fast RNFL thickness’ program. Mean thicknesses of fovea centered 1 mm, 3 mm, 6 mm circles, total macular volume (TMV) and mean RNFL thickness in 3.4 mm peripapillary circle were compared between eyes with AAU and healthy eyes. Also, the measurements during the acute attack were compared with measurements of the same eyes after recovery.
Results:
There were 14 women and 18 men with a mean age of 37 (range, 20-65) years. Total macular volume, peripapillary RNFL thickness and macular thicknesses in 1 mm, 3mm, 6 mm circles were significantly elevated in acutely inflamed eyes as compared with healthy eyes (p<0,05). There were significant differences in the macular thicknesses in the circles of 3 and 6 mm and TMV between acute inflammation period and after treatment (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the peripapillary RNFL thickness measurements (p>0.05). When measurements after recovery were compared with the patients’ healthy eyes, the circle of 3 mm thickness and TMV were still significantly higher in the recovered eyes.
Discussion:
Although there were no inflammation findings in the posterior segment of eyes with AAU, increased peripapillary RNFL and macular thickness can be detected with OCT. Macular thickness can be decreased after treatment but even when the clinical findings disappear, thickening in the macula can persist for some time. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2012; 42: 20-4)
Keywords: Acute anterior uveitis, macular thickness, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber thickness