Retinal Complications of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-related Uveitis: A Microperimetry and Optical Coherence Tomography Study

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate ocular complications of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-related uveitis; to study macular morphology and sensitivity.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of 67 patients. Fourteen consecutive patients (24 eyes) observed from January to December 2008 were submitted to optical coherence tomography study (OCT) and microperimetry MP-1 examination.

Results: Most frequent complications were posterior synechiae (63.0%), band keratopathy (53.9%), and cataract (31.8%). Posterior complications were documented in 37.0% of eyes: 13.8% macular edema, 12.0% papillitis, 6.8% epiretinal membranes, 2.5% retinal vasculitis, 1.7% retinal detachment. At OCT examination 25.0% of eyes presented macular edema; macular sensitivity by MP-1 was ≤16.5 dB in 25.0% of eyes.

Conclusions: Visual prognosis is good despite ocular complications. Incidence of macular edema seems to be higher when using OCT. Microperimetry may represent a useful tool in detecting alteration in retinal sensitivity that may supplement visual acuity in the follow-up of macular edema.

KEYWORDS::

• juvenile idiopathic arthritis
• macular edema
• microperimetry
• optical coherence tomography
• uveitis

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Declaration of interest: The authors received no financial support for this study. The authors report no conflicts of interest. Each author states that he has no proprietary interest in the development and marketting of any products mentioned in the article.