Analysis of the Changes in Retinal Thickness in Eyes Undergoing Vitrectomy with Silicone Oil Tamponade

Purpose@#To investigate changes in the retinal layer thickness in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and intraocular foreign body (IOFB) patients undergoing successful pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil tamponade. @*Methods@#This retrospective study included 28 eyes of 28 patients (RRD: 24 patients; IOFB: 4 patients) that were successfully repaired with PPV with silicone oil tamponade. The thickness measurements of the total retina, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) were performed with swept-source optical coherence tomography in nine Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study subfields, using the wide three-dimensional mode before and after silicone oil tamponade removal. The measurements were compared and differences were analyzed with respect to normal fellow eyes. @*Results@#The RNFL and GC-IPL thickness measurements decreased remarkably as the silicone oil tamponade period progressed, compared with the thickness of the total retinal layer. The average thicknesses of the total retina, RNFL, and GC-IPL were significantly greater in eyes in which the silicone oil had been removed than in those in which the silicone oil remained. @*Conclusions@#Silicone oil tamponade can change the thickness of the retina layer. The longer the silicone oil is tamponaded, the more significant the reduction in thickness of the inner retinal layer.

Analysis of the Changes in Retinal Thickness in Eyes Undergoing Vitrectomy with Silicone Oil Tamponade

Purpose@#To investigate changes in the retinal layer thickness in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and intraocular foreign body (IOFB) patients undergoing successful pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil tamponade. @*Methods@#This retrospective study included 28 eyes of 28 patients (RRD: 24 patients; IOFB: 4 patients) that were successfully repaired with PPV with silicone oil tamponade. The thickness measurements of the total retina, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) were performed with swept-source optical coherence tomography in nine Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study subfields, using the wide three-dimensional mode before and after silicone oil tamponade removal. The measurements were compared and differences were analyzed with respect to normal fellow eyes. @*Results@#The RNFL and GC-IPL thickness measurements decreased remarkably as the silicone oil tamponade period progressed, compared with the thickness of the total retinal layer. The average thicknesses of the total retina, RNFL, and GC-IPL were significantly greater in eyes in which the silicone oil had been removed than in those in which the silicone oil remained. @*Conclusions@#Silicone oil tamponade can change the thickness of the retina layer. The longer the silicone oil is tamponaded, the more significant the reduction in thickness of the inner retinal layer.

A Case of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy after Tadalafil Treatment

PURPOSE: To describe a patient who presented with central serous chorioretinopathy after 2 months of tadalafil administration without any other underlying disease or medication. CASE SUMMARY: A 49-year-old male patient was transferred from a local clinic with metamorphopsia and decreased visual acuity in the right eye. His visual acuity was 6/20 in the right eye and 18/20 in the left eye. The fundus examination showed a large serous detachment between the superior and inferior blood vessel arcades in the right retina. In his medical history, he used tadalafil three times a week for 2 months. His medication was then stopped, and a follow-up examination was scheduled. After 2 months, a fundus examination showed resolution of the subretinal fluid, and his corrected visual acuity recovered to 20/20. CONCLUSIONS: Tadalafil (Cialis®) is a phosphodiesterase (PDE)-5 inhibitor and predominantly prescribed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. PDE–5 inhibitors may be potent vasodilators in the retina and choroid, and may induce choroidal vessel engorgement leading to leakage across the retinal pigment epithelium and accumulation of subretinal fluid in selected patients. When making a diagnosis as central serous chorioretinopathy, the physician should confirm the causative drugs that are easy to miss, by performing a thorough review of the patient's medical history and promptly terminating the causative drugs.

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography According to Severity of Diabetic Retinopathy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the extent of macular microvascular changes in diabetic retinopathy according to progression of diabetic retinopathy using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 46 diabetic patients and 10 normal patients who underwent OCTA. Diabetic patients were classified as mild, moderate, severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) according to international clinical diabetic retinopathy severity classification fundus findings. OCTA was performed on a 3 × 3 mm region centered on the fovea and parafoveal areas to measure the width of the fovea avascular zone (FAZ) of the superficial and deep capillary plexuses. RESULTS: Among the control group, NPDR, and PDR, the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP) of the FAZ increased with progression of diabetic retinopathy. In the SCP (p<0.001) and DCP (p<0.001), there was a significant difference in size between the NPDR and PDR groups. In the NPDR group, there were meaningful differences in SCP (p=0.011) and DCP (p=0.038) size between the moderate and severe NPDR groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, OCTA was used to measure the FAZ, and we aimed to determine if there was a significant difference in FAZ between the NPDR and the PDR groups and between the moderate and severe NPDR groups in terms of the degree of progression of diabetic retinopathy. The results suggest that the size of the FAZ could be a marker of progression of diabetic retinopathy, and noninvasive OCTA can be used to confirm such progression.

Efficacy of Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Measuring the Foveal Avascular Zone Area in Patients with Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) by measuring the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). METHODS: Thirty four eyes of 34 patients with BRVO were retrospectively reviewed. The area of the FAZ was calculated using fluorescein angiography (FAG) and OCTA. The FAZ area was divided into two groups according to the presence of macular edema, which was determined based on the central foveal thickness (300 µm), and then the measured areas were compared. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between FAG and the superficial capillary plexus (SCP) in OCTA with or without macular edema (r = 0.845, p = 0.001). However, there was not a significant correlation between FAG and the deep capillary plexus (DCP) in OCTA (r = 0.001, p = 0.996). In addition, the FAZ area measured by FAG and OCTA in the SCP showed a significant agreement between the two methods (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.916, p = 0.001). However, there was no significant relation found for the FAZ area between FAG and OCTA in the DCP (ICC = 0.001, p = 0.501). CONCLUSIONS: In the patients with BRVO, OCTA can be used to measure the FAZ areas in both the SCP and DCP, beyond measurement of the FAZ area at the two-dimensional cross section used during FAG. The FAZ area in the SCP via OCTA showed a statistically significant correlation with the FAZ area determined by FAG, but there was no such correlation in the DCP. That said, the FAZ area in the DCP was positively correlated with a decrease in visual acuity among the patients, which may be an indicator of visual prognosis.

Neuroprotective Effects of Betaxolol Mediated by Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction in RGC-5

PURPOSE: To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of betaxolol (betaxolol hydrochloride) under hypoxic conditions using retinal ganglion cells (RGC-5) and determine whether heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression exerts cytoprotective effects. METHODS: In this study, cultured RGC-5 cells were incubated with different concentrations of betaxolol hydrochloride (0.1 microM, 1 microM or 5 microM) and with 10 microM zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), in a hypoxia incubator (1% O2, 5% CO2, 94% N2) for 48 hours and the cell viability of each group was determined. Additionally, cell viability was measured after RGC-5 cells were incubated with 5 microM of brinzolamide (Azopt(R)), brimonidine tartrate (Alphagan(R)) or travoprost (Travatan(R)). RGC-5 cells were divided into three groups and incubated under three different conditions, normoxia group (20% O2, 5% CO2), hypoxia group (1% O2, 5% CO2) and the group with 5 microM of Betoptic S(R) treated under hypoxic conditions (hypoxia, Betoptic S(R)). After incubation for 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours, HO-1 expression was analyzed using Western blotting. RESULTS: Cell viability significantly increased in RGC-5 cells treated with Betoptic S(R) compared with other antiglaucoma agents. Increased levels of HO-1 expression indicate its relevance in cell viability. Furthermore, increased RGC-5 cell viability by Betoptic S(R) was significantly reduced in the HO-1 inhibitor ZnPP-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: We reaffirmed the known cytoprotective effects of Betoptic S(R) and the results suggests that HO-1 expression exerts cytoprotective effects against hypoxia.

Tunicamycin-induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Upregulates the Expression of Pentraxin 3 in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

PURPOSE: To investigate the production of long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in response to tunicamycin-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and its role in ER stress-associated cell death, PTX3 expression was evaluated in the human retinal pigment epithelial cell line, ARPE-19. METHODS: PTX3 production in ARPE-19 cells was analyzed in the absence or presence of tunicamycin treatment by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. PTX3 protein and mRNA levels were estimated using western blot analysis and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Protein and mRNA levels of CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) and ARPE-19 cell viability were measured in the presence of tunicamycin-induced ER stress in control or PTX3 small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-transfected ARPE-19 cells. RESULTS: The protein and mRNA levels of PTX3 were found to be significantly increased by tunicamycin treatment. PTX3 production was significantly decreased in inositol-requiring enzyme 1α shRNA-transfected ARPE-19 cells compared to control shRNA-transfected cells. Furthermore, pretreatment with the NF-κB inhibitor abolished tunicamycin-induced PTX3 production. Decreased cell viability and prolonged protein and mRNA expression of CHOP were observed under tunicamycin-induced ER stress in PTX3 shRNA transfected ARPE-19 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PTX3 production increased in the presence of tunicamycin-induced ER stress. Therefore, PTX3 could be an important protector of ER stress-induced cell death in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Inositol-requiring enzyme 1α and the NF-κB signaling pathway may serve as potential targets for regulation of PTX3 expression in the retina. Therefore, their role in PTX3 expression needs to be further investigated.

Expression of TonEBP by Hypertonic and Hyperosmolar Stress in RGC-5 Cells

PURPOSE: In order to determine whether the Tonicity responsive enhancer binding protein (TonEBP) is expressed by hypertonic and hyperosmolar stress, TonEBP expression was investigated in the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) line, RGC-5 cells. METHODS: After RGC-5 cells were cultured by Staurosporine, TonEBP expression was measured with Western immunoblotting analysis and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 50 mM NaCl, 100 mM mannitol, 50 mM glucose, or 100 mM glucose at 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after exposure to each environment. RESULTS: In this study, the protein expression of TonEBP was determined to be statistically significantly checked in 50 mM NaCl after 3, and 6 hours, in 100 mM mannitol after 6 hours, and in 100 mM glucose after 3, and 6 hours. TonEBP messenger Ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression was determined to be statistically significantly checked in 50 mM NaCl after 3 hours, in 100 mM mannitol after 3, and 24 hours, and in 50 mM glucose after 3, and 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that TonEBP was expressed by hypertonic and hyperosmolar stress at the protein and mRNA levels. Further studies are nedded to determine the role of TonEBP and the mechanism of expression and regulation of TonEBP.

Elevated Plasma Pentraxin 3 and Its Association with Retinal Vein Occlusion

PURPOSE: To evaluate plasma pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO), and investigate the possibility of its role as a predictive biomarker. METHODS: Nested case-control study. The study included 57 patients with RVO and 45 age- and gender-matched subjects without RVO as controls. Plasma PTX3 and C-reactive protein concentration were measured in both groups a posteriori from frozen samples by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. RESULTS: The measured PTX3 value for the RVO group was 1,508 +/- 1,183 pg/mL (mean +/- standard deviation) and 833 +/- 422 pg/mL for the controls (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in PTX3 levels between patients with central retinal vein occlusion and branched retinal vein occlusion (1,468 +/- 1,300 vs. 1,533 +/- 1,121 pg/mL; p = 0.818). CONCLUSIONS: Our data seems to support the role of chronic inflammation and ischemia in the development of RVO. It is possible that PTX3 can be used as a diagnostic biomarker of RVO.

The Usefulness of Fibrinogen-Thrombin Adhesives for Management of Conjunctival Closure in Scleral Buckling Operation

PURPOSE: We investigated the efficacy of fibrin glue for conjunctival closure in scleral buckling operations. METHODS: Thirty-seven eyes of 35 patients who underwent conjunctival closure for a scleral buckling operation with a minimum follow-up period of 3 months were evaluated. Postoperative discomfort (average score), presence of remnant adhesives, scleral buckle material infection, and wound dehiscence were evaluated prospectively in 35 eyes of 33 patients undergoing surgery with fibrin glue. RESULTS: The eyes showed decreasing conjunctival injection and hemorrhage over time and near to full recovered without any treatment after 1 month. With time, the average discomfort score decreased significantly (p < 0.05) and wound dehiscence was found in only 1 eye. There was no adhesive remnant in any of the eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of fibrin glue for conjunctival closure in scleral buckling operations is excellent as a cosmetic and functional method. The glue can reduce postoperative discomfort and is especially useful as a method to replace conventional conjunctival sutures.

The Usefulness of External Bandage Suture for Management of Bleb after Trabeculectomy with Mitomycin C

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of external bandage suture for bleb-related management that follows trabeculectomy with mitomycin C. METHODS: External bandage sutures were performed on 10 patients having hypotony maculopathy, persistent low intraocular pressure (IOP) caused by either hyperfiltration or focal leakage, or a persisting large bleb caused by hyperfiltration and who received trabeculectomy using mitomycin C as an adjuvant treatment. The changes in IOP measured before and 4 weeks after the procedure along with complication incidences were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean IOP 4 weeks after the procedure compared with the mean IOP prior to the procedure increased from 5.8 +/- 2.0 mm Hg (3.0-9.0 mm Hg) to 14.1 +/- 8.5 mm Hg (4.0-32.0 mm Hg), with statistical significance (p = 0.008). After the procedure, improvement in visual acuity was observed but without statistical significance. One patient had persistent focal leakage from an avascular bleb and conjunctival advancement with removal of the avascular conjunctiva was performed. CONCLUSIONS: An external bandage suture can be a good alternative for correction of post-trabeculectomy hypotony and severe chemosis with minimal effect on blebs while correcting focal leakage and hyperfiltration.

The Analysis of the Clinical Findings and Effects of Biodegradable Collagen Matrix in Trabeculectomy

PURPOSE: To observe the effects of biodegradable collagen matrix (OculusGen(TM)) on filtering bleb formation and maintenance and to investigate its clinical effects and usefulness in trabeculectomy. METHODS: Ophthalmologic examinations were preformed 1 day, 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively in the case and control groups. The clinical findings of the filtering bleb were observed, and the clinical effects measured by mean intraocular pressure and complications were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: The success rates were 76% in the case group and 88% in the control group, and there were no significant differences between the case and control groups. In the case group, postoperative conjunctival injection persisted for more than 1 month with increasing severity, while ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed increased echogenicity of the subconjuctival and tenon tissue with no definite space-occupying effect. CONCLUSIONS: Trabeculectomy utilizing collagen matrix showed similar clinical results compared to the current traditional trabeculectomy; slit-lamp and ultrasound biomicroscopy findings did not reveal any advantageous changes to filtering bleb function.

Long-Term Results after Three or More Penetrating Keratoplasties and Risk Factors for Graft Failure

PURPOSE: To evaluate the primary indications, surgical outcomes, causes and risk factors for graft failure in patients with three or more penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) surgeries. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed indications for the initial corneal graft, survival periods, causes and risk factors for failure in 25 patients (26 eyes) who had undergone three or more PKP with minimum follow-up periods of nine months. RESULTS: The most common primary indications were herpes simplex keratitis (26.9%), followed by fungal keratitis (19.2%) and bacterial keratitis (11.5%). The average survival period of graft in three or more PKP was 12.9 +/- 9.1 months. As the frequency of PKP increased, the survival period became shorter; the survival period was the longest in pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and the shortest in herpes simplex keratitis. The most common cause of graft failure was allograft rejection (82.8%), and the risk factors for graft failure were short interval between penetrating keratoplasties and corneal neovascularization. CONCLUSIONS: In three or more PKP, as the frequency of PKP increases, the survival period becomes shorter. Short interval between keratoplasties and cornel neovascularization were risk factors for graft failure; this results must be considered before surgery.

Long-term Evaluation After Topical Cyclosporine Treatment in Dry Eye Patients With Graft-Versus-Host Disease

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the long-term effect of 0.05% cyclosporine A emulsion (Restasis, Allergan Inc. USA.) on dry eye associated with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). METHODS: Sixteen eyes of 8 patients with severe dry eye associated with GVHD were treated with 0.05% cyclosporine A emulsion twice a day. Tear film parameters were evaluated before treatment and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment. RESULTS: One month after treatment, tear break-up time improved from 3.88+/-1.78 s to 4.17+/-1.90 s (P=0.02). Three months after treatment, symptom score and basal secretion improved from 3.00+/-0.38 and 4.44+/-1.59 mm to 2.33+/-0.52 (P=0.04) and 5.42+/-2.50 mm (P=0.04), respectively. Twelve months after treatment, the keratoepitheliopathy score improved from 2.38+/-1.31 to 1.13+/-0.35 (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Use of a 0.05% cyclosporine A emulsion is effective for dry eye associated with GVHD as it helps to increase tear secretion and to relieve symptoms. Treatment with 0.05% cyclosporine A emulsion for longer than 1 year may be necessary to improve keratoepitheliopathy.

Clinical Characteristics of Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysms

PURPOSE: To determine the clinical features of retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM). METHODS: Clinical characteristics of RAM, and its managements and results were evaluated. RESULTS: Of a total of 17 patients (17 eyes), 11 patients were women and 12 were over seventh decade. Mean follow-up period was 9.2 months. Hypertension was associated in 6 patients. Single aneurysm was temporally located in 15 eyes, which was along the temporal vascular arcade. It was on the arteriovenous crossing site in 8 eyes and followed retinal branch vein occlusion in 4 eyes. Aneurysms were located nasally in 2 eyes. Type was hemorrhagic in 15 eyes and exudative in 2 eyes. Pars plana vitrectomy was performed in 5 eyes and intraocular gas was injected in 2 eyes. Photocoagulation was performed directly in 2 eyes and indirectly in 3 eyes. Five eyes received no special managements. Visual acuity was less than 0.1 in 11 eyes and 0.3 or better in 4 on the initial visit, and less than 0.1 in 1 eyes and 0.3 or better in 10 on the final visit. Twelve eyes showed visual improvement of 2 lines or more. CONCLUSIONS: RAM usually develops along the temporal vascular arcade and induces visual disturbance due to hemorrhage and exudate. However, visual prognosis is relatively good.

Ultrasound biomicroscopic dimensions of the anterior chamber in angle-closure glaucoma patients

In order to evaluate the morphologic types of appositional angle-closure glaucoma, biometric measurements were made in angle-closure glaucoma patients using Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). Twenty-six patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma and 21 cataract patients with as a control group were examined. The angle-closure glaucomatous eyes were classified as type B in which the angle closure started at the bottom of the angle and type S in which the angle closure occurred in the vicinity of Schwalbe's line. The trabecular-ciliary process distance (TCPD, type B; 873.20+/-86.77 microm, type S; 832.52+/-82.96 microm, control; 1233.50+/-73.01 microm, p = 0.000) and the angle opening distance (AOD500, type B; 89.75+/-63.27 microm, type S; 88.85+/-72.95 microm, control; 304.40+/-104.30 microm, p = 0.000) were significantly shorter in patients with angle closure vice control group. No significant difference were noted in the three groups of patients in regards to iris thickness or ciliary process-iris angle. In this study, we have demonstrated that there are two types of appositional angle-closure and have shown the forward rotation of the ciliary process without changes of the ciliary process-iris angle in cases of angle-closure glaucoma.

Cyclic Esotropia Following Ocular Surgery

The cause of cyclic strabismus is not clear but is assumed to be an abnormality of the biological clock mechanism. Secondary factors, combined with surgery or trauma as well as unknown causes stimulate its occurrence and may be followed by the periodicity of strabismus. We report postoperative follow-up results of 4 cases of cyclic esotropia following surgery. Two cases (case 1 and 2), who developed cyclic esotropia after surgery for intermittent exotropia, show good postoperative alignment without periodicity. But in case 3, originally treated for intermittent exotropia after receiving treatment for consecutive esotropia, the patient reverted to original condition. In case 4, originally treated for congenital glaucoma and receiving secondary treatment for cyclic esotropia, the cyclic esotropia was recurred. After surgery for consecutive cyclic strabismus, it is necessary to follow up for a long time.

Clinical Evaluation of the Glaucoma after Penetrating Keratoplasty

We retrospectively evaulated the frequency and risk factors of glaucoma after penetrating keratoplasty by reviewing charts of 96 patients(112eyes) who received the penetrating keratoplasty from May 1992 to Novermber 1995 at Chonnam Universty Hospital. Intraocular pressure was increased over 21mmHg in 18 eyes after surgery. Underlying disease of them were graft failure (5 eyes), bullous keratoplasty(5 eyes), corneal ulcer(5 eyes), trauma(3 eyes). Ten eyes(55.5%) were glaucomatous preoperatively. Eight eyes(44.4%) were phakic, 7 eyes(38.9%) aphakic, and 3 eyes(16.7%) pseudophakic. Ten eyes(55.5%) underwent only penetrating keratoplasty, 4 eyes(22.2%) vitrectomy at the time of penetrating keratoplasty, and 4 eyes(22.2%) combined cataract extraction. The eyes with previous history of glaucoma(19 eyes) had higher incidence of increased intraouclar pressure than those 93 eyes with no glaucoma history(P<0.0001). Aphakic eyes(21 eyes) had higher incidence of glaucoma than phakic eyes(80 eyes)(p<0.05).

The Influence of Axial Length on the Response to Strabismus Surgery

There are many factors that influence the response of strabismus surgery. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of axial length on the response to strabismus surgery. Axial length was determined preoperatively on 156 non-paralytic horizontal strabismus patients undergoing strabismus surgery from February, 1993 to April, 1994. The mean axial length in all patients was 22.29+/-1.35mm. In esotropia the mean axial length was 21.24+/-1.12mm and in exotropia the mean axial length was 22.68+/-1.23mm. A statistically significant inverse correlation was found between axial length and surgery response (prism diopters per millimeter of recuts recession) in esotropic patients (R=-0.51 p=0.0006). Especially in aquired esotropia, a more significant correlation was found between axial length and surgery respinse (R=-0.73 P=0.0001). The relationship in esotropia was linear and could be written as the approximate regression formula : surgery response=9.51-0.29* axial length (R=-0.454 P=0.03). However, a poor correlation was found between axial length and surgery response in exotropia. Therefore it is regraded as being effective that the amount of recession in esotropia should be graduated according to axial length.

Clinical Evaluation of Behcet`s Disease Report of 85 Cases

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of Behcet`s disease, we reviewed the clinical record of the patient visited Chonnam University Hospital from January, 1987 to December, 1995. Among all 85 patients, the majority of them were in the fourth decade (42.4%) and 49 patients (58.9%) were female. Oral ulcer (81.2%) was the most frequent initial symptom. According to the criteria established by the Behcet`s Disease Research Committee of Japan, incomplete type was the ost common (43.5%) and the most frequent major and minor symptom was oral ulcer (95.3%) and arthritis (21.2%), respectively. Ocular lesions ppeared in 39 (45.9%), and 19 patients (48.7%) had two or more ocular esions. The most common symptom was iritis (70.7%) and male was more commonly affected than female. The mean interval between initial symptom and ocular symptom was 45.8 months. Among 43 eyes of 26 patients with follow-up of 3 months or more, 14 (32.6%) showed an impairment of two or more lines in visual acuity and 21 (48.8%) eyes had inal visual acuity of 0.3 or less. As similar to other reports, this result suggests Behcet`s disease is achronic, inflammatory disorder characterized by poor visual prognosis.