ABSTRACT
Background The fundus autofluorescence (FAF)can reflect the function of retinal pigment epithelium(RPE) cell.As an invasive examination,it has been extensive used in retina disease,but there has not any report in syphilitic posterior uveitis.Objective This study was to characterize and contrast the FAF and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA),indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) findings in patients with syphilitic posterior uveitis.Methods A retrospective series of cases observational study was designed.The clinical data of 27 eyes from 18 patients with syphilitic posterior uveitis were included in Shanghai First People's Hospital from 2010 May to 2012 October,and all the patients were diagnosed by serologic and ophthalmic tests.The patients were assigned to acute stage group(with the course ＜2 months)and chronic stage group(with the course ≥ 2 months).FFA,ICGA and FAF were performed respectively on all the patients,and the examination results were compared and analyzed.Results In the affected eyes with syphilitic posterior uveitis,the FFA image showed a retinal vasculitis sign and mottle-like fluorescence appearance in posterior pole and equator zone,and some affected eyes exhibited edema of optic disc and macula.Hypoautofluorescence zone was seen in the acute stage group and cystoid macular edema was found in the chronic stage group.ICGA presented with a wider damage of RPE,especially in the later phase of ICGA.A confluent of hyperautofluorescence with hypoautofluorescence in the posterior fundus,punctiform hyperautofluorescence as well as hypoautofluorescence in papillitis and macular edema were found on the FAF image.Conclusions The pathological basis of syphilitic posterior uveitis is retinal vasculitis and papillitis.ICGA indicates the damage of choroid membranes and RPE,and FAF reflects a metabolism disorder of RPE in the acute stage and atrophy and loss of RPE in the chronic stage.FAF is helpful for the diagnosis of syphilitic posterior uveitis as an assistant index.