Characteristics of Cellular Infiltration into Posterior Vitreous in Eyes with Uveitis on the Classification Basis Assessed Using Optical Coherence Tomography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristics of posterior vitreous cells in patients with uveitis on the classification basis using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: In this retrospective chart review, all eyes were classified into three groups: infectious uveitis (IFU, n=7), noninfectious granulomatous uveitis (NIGU, n=13), and noninfectious nongranulomatous uveitis (NINGU, n=13). We measured the size, number, and density of vitreous hyperreflective particles in the posterior vitreous area that was defined as the space between the vitreous top and the internal limiting membrane on OCT. The correlations between vitreous haze and vitreous particles were also evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty-three eyes from 23 patients with active posterior uveitis were included. IFU had significantly more particles than NIGU and NINGU (P=0.03 and P<0.001, respectively). The vitreous particle density was higher in IFU than in NIGU and NINGU (P=0.03 and P=0.003, respectively). The mean largest particle size was greater in IFU and NIGU than in NINGU (P=0.01 and P=0.03, respectively). The median vitreous haze of 2+ in IFU, 1+ in NIGU and NINGU showed no significant difference among three groups (P=0.21). Conversely, the correlation of the largest particle size with vitreous haze was significant at ρ= 0.44 (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: SD-OCT may be useful for assessing ocular inflammation based on morphological characteristics of vitreous particles on the uveitis classification basis.