Retinal complications of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis related uveitis: a Microperimetry and Optical Coherence Tomography study

Purpose: To evaluate ocular complications of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-related uveitis; to study macular morphology and sensitivity. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 67 patients. Fourteen consecutive patients (24 eyes) observed from January to December 2008 were submitted to optical coherence tomography study (OCT) and microperimetry MP-1 examination. Results: Most frequent complications were posterior synechiae (63.0%), band keratopathy (53.9%), and cataract (31.8%). Posterior complications were documented in 37.0% of eyes: 13.8% macular edema, 12.0% papillitis, 6.8% epiretinal membranes, 2.5% retinal vasculitis, 1.7% retinal detachment. At OCT examination 25.0% of eyes presented macular edema; macular sensitivity by MP-1 was ≤16.5 dB in 25.0% of eyes. Conclusions: Visual prognosis is good despite ocular complications. Incidence of macular edema seems to be higher when using OCT. Microperimetry may represent a useful tool in detecting alteration in retinal sensitivity that may supplement visual acuity in the follow-up of macular edema.