Subclinical Macular Edema Detected by Spectral-domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT) in HLA-B27 Positive Anterior Uveitis

PURPOSE To assess foveal thickness by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) during acute anterior uveitis (AAU) in HLA-B27 patients. METHODS Foveal thickness was measured at baseline and after clinical resolution of the uveitis. Data of the affected eyes of 11 patients were compared to those of a fellow, healthy eyes and to those of counterpart volunteers. RESULTS At baseline mean foveal thickness was 190 ± 28 µm in affected eyes, 166 ± 20 µm in fellow eyes (p < 0.001), and 162±14 µm in control group (p = 0.01). On the second OCT evaluation, no significant change was observed in affected eyes while the difference versus fellow eyes and control group remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS A significant increase in foveal thickness was observed in eyes with HLA -B27 AAU when compared with healthy eyes. The difference persisted for at least one month, despite full clinical and functional recovery.