Anterior segment parameters in Behçet’s patients with ocular involvement

To evaluate anterior segment findings in Behcet’s disease patients within the ocular involvement inactive period. One hundred twenty patients with Behcet uveitis in the inactive period (Behcet’s disease group) and 121-age and sex matched healthy subjects (control group) were examined. Anterior segment parameters were assessed by Scheimpflug camera. In Behcet’s disease group, the mean age was 39.89 ± 10.16 years, and 55.8% of patients were male; in the control group, the mean age was 38.69 ± 14.08 years, and 56.2% of control subjects were male. Pachymetric measurements of corneal apex (523.84 ± 30.36 µ vs 540.73 ± 27.85 µ, p < 0.001) thinnest point (518.70 ± 30.75 µ vs 537 ± 28.66 µ, p < 0.001), mean corneal volume (57.90 ± 3.39 mm3 vs 59.57 ± 3.37 mm3, p < 0.001) were significantly lower and anterior elevation [5.0 (1.0–34.0) vs 2.0 (1.0–7.0) diopter(D), p < 0.001], posterior elevation [11.0 (1.0–66.0) vs 4.0 (0–22.0) D, p < 0.001)] and corneal astigmatism [1.1 (0–7.1) vs 0.7 (0.1–5.7) D, p = 0.005] were significantly higher in the Behcet’s disease group than in control group. No significant difference was found in other anterior segment parameters between the Behcet’s disease group and control group. Concurrent keratoconus was detected in two cases (1.7%). A statistically significant correlation was found between the corneal measurements and frequency of uveitis attacks. The chronic inflammatory process associated with various proinflammatory cytokines, which play a role in the pathogenesis of keratoconus, may also contribute to a decrease in corneal thickness and corneal volume in Behcet’s patients with ocular involvement.