PURPOSE: To analyze clinical findings of ocular tuberculosis and its epidemiological features. METHODS: Were reviewed clinical files of patients who attended the Ophthalmology-Uveitis and AIDS sector of UNIFESP-EPM, São Paulo, Brazil between January 1999 and July 2002 and had a diagnosis of ocular tuberculosis. Patients who had Mantoux test higher than 10 mm, epidemiological history of tuberculosis and ocular findings that improved after specific treatment were included. RESULTS: Seventeen medical files were analyzed, of those, 12 (70.6%) were females. The mean age was 54 (24-84) years. The average time between symptoms and diagnosis was 100 days. Ocular findings at the first interview were multiple but most were at the anterior segment of the eye and 41% of patients who had clinical findings that suggested tuberculosis other than ocular. Situations as glaucoma, retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage were responsible for reduction of visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular tuberculosis showed a low prevalence but important visual loosing morbidity. The multiplicity of clinical findings is responsible for the delay of diagnosis.
PURPOSE: To analyze clinical findings of ocular tuberculosis and its epidemiological features. METHODS: Were reviewed clinical files of patients who attended the Ophthalmology-Uveitis and AIDS sector of UNIFESP-EPM, São Paulo, Brazil between January 1999 and July 2002 and had a diagnosis of ocular tuberculosis. Patients who had Mantoux test higher than 10 mm, epidemiological history of tuberculosis and ocular findings that improved after specific treatment were included. RESULTS: Seventeen medical files were analyzed, of those, 12 (70.6%) were females. The mean age was 54 (24-84) years. The average time between symptoms and diagnosis was 100 days. Ocular findings at the first interview were multiple but most were at the anterior segment of the eye and 41% of patients who had clinical findings that suggested tuberculosis other than ocular. Situations as glaucoma, retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage were responsible for reduction of visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS:Ocular tuberculosis showed a low prevalence but important visual loosing morbidity. The multiplicity of clinical findings is responsible for the delay of diagnosis.