2M.D. Asistant, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Diyarbakır/TURKEY
3M.D. Professor, Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Diyarbakır/TURKEY Purpose: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, follow-up findings and treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed as active ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) in our clinic.
Material and Methods: The data of seventy five active OT patients seen between 2009 and 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Age, gender, visual acuity, laterality, follow-up findings, treatment modalities, complications, and recurrence rate of the patients were evaluated.
Results: Active OT was diagnosed in 75 eyes of 75 patients. The mean age of the patients was 26.3±7.8 years with 47 (62.7%) females and 28 (37.3%) were males. The detected involvement sites were 60% central and 40% peripheral. All the patients had active lesions at the time of application. Contralateral chorioretinal scars were identified in 17.3% of the patients. The mean follow-up was 15.1±10.0 months. Complications were cataract formation in 2 patients, posterior synechiae in 5 patients, vitreous condensation in 2 patients and epiretinal membrane formation in 4 patients. Recurrence rate was 38.7% during follow-up and recurrences were all in the same eye.
Conclusion: Ocular toxoplasmosis is the most common infectious uveitis. Although it is a self-limiting disease, treatment and follow-up are very important because of potential reduction in vision caused by serious complications. Early treatment and long term follow-up are essential to prevent to development of sequelae and ensure early detection of complications in patient with active OT.
Keywords : Toxoplasmosis, chorioretinitis