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.