Outcome of surgical management for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in Behcet's disease

Background: The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the surgical outcome for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) associated with Behcet's disease (BD). Methods: The current retrospective study included all patients operated for rhegmatogenous RD associated with BD in our institution from June 2007 to June 2012. Surgical repair was done either by scleral buckling (SB) or pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) according to the topography and clinical criteria of the detachment. Results: The current study included 7 eyes of 7 patients (6 males and one female). The mean age was 34.3 +/- 4.9 years and all patients showed systemic features of BD. In 3 eyes, intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) was injected within 8 weeks prior to the occurrence of rhegmatogenous RD. Five eyes were treated with SB (segmental buckle in 4 cases and encircling buckle in one case) and 2 cases were treated by PPV. One case was initially treated by SB but showed recurrence of RD which was surgically repaired by PPV with successful closure of the retinal break. The retina was successfully reattached in all cases at the end of follow up period (22.0 +/- 6.7 months). Conclusions: Rhegmatogenous RD in BD can be effectively treated by scleral buckling in selected cases and PPV in more complex cases. Intravitreal injections may be a precipitating factor for rhegmatogenous RD.