Comparison of patients with ocular tuberculosis in the 1990s and the 2000s.

Purpose: To compare clinical findings in patients with ocular tuberculosis experienced during two different decades.

Methods: Thirty-four patients with ocular tuberculosis were divided into two groups: a 1990s group (n = 18) and a 2000s group (n = 16), according to the dates of their first outpatient visit. The clinical profiles of the two groups were then compared.

Results: More cases of the 1990s group had complications involving extraocular tuberculosis than those of the 2000s group. While various ophthalmic manifestations were observed clinically in the 1990s group, all retinal periphlebitis cases presented in the 2000s group. The proportion of patients who received antituberculous treatment was higher in the 1990s group, but the proportion who received oral corticosteroid therapy did not differ between the two periods. However, more patients underwent laser photocoagulation in the 2000s group. The percentage of eyes with final visual acuity better than 20/20 increased in the 2000s group.

Conclusions: The clinical outcome of patients with ocular tuberculosis was improved in the 2000s group, which may be attributable to the increase in active use of laser photocoagulation therapy.