Evaluation of optic disc and parafoveal parameters in Neuro-Behçet patients without ocular involvement using optical coherence tomography angiography.

PURPOSE: The study aims to examine vascular changes in the optic disc and macular region using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA) in patients with Neuro-Behçet's disease without ocular involvement.

METHODS

36 eyes of 19 parenchymal Neurobehçet patients without ocular pathology were included in the Neurobehçet group (NBG). As controls, 44 eyes of 22 nonocular Mucocutaneous Behçet's disease patients (MBG) and 51 eyes of 26 healthy individuals (HG) matched by age and gender were included. Full ophthalmological examination and OCTA measurements were performed in all groups.

RESULTS

In the comparison of mean peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, NBG had the lowest value, while no significant difference was observed between groups. In the analysis of peripapillary vascular density (VD), mean VD in the inferior quadrant was significantly lower in NBG than in the other two groups (p = 0.014). In the foveal region, both superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus VD means were significantly lower in NBG compared to MBG (p = 0.019 and p = 0.02, respectively). Additionally, NBG had significantly wider foveal avascular zone compared to MBG (p = 0.035). In the assessment of choriocapillaris flow rate, mean values for NBG in both the 1 mm and 6 mm diameter areas were significantly lower than those in other groups (p = 0.002, p = 0.000, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The ability of OCTA to demonstrate changes in retinal and choroidal blood flow in Neuro-Behçet patients without ophthalmological symptoms or findings suggests the presence of subclinical effects and indicates the potential utility of OCTA in monitoring these patients.