Severe HLA B27-associated uveitis complicated by hypotony, serous retinal detachment, and ciliochoroidal effusion.

Purpose: To report on severe HLA B27-associated anterior uveitis complicated by vitritis, hypotony, and serous retinal detachment.

Methods: Retrospective case series.

Results: Five patients with HLA B27-associated uveitis presented with an acute anterior uveitis complicated by vitritis, hypotony, serous retinal detachment, and ciliochoroidal effusion. Two patients had previously acute anterior uveitis and two suffered from HLA B27-associated systemic disease. Laboratory and imaging examinations did not reveal another cause of uveitis. Despite the aggressive treatment a prolonged and slow recovery followed. Four patients developed macular edema and one additional patient developed a macular pucker. Finally, 3 eyes improved, 2 eyes developed atrophy, and 1 was lost at 4-month follow-up with visual acuity of hand movements.

Conclusions: The authors conclude that severe uveitis with a serous retinal detachment might develop in HLA B27-positive patients and may be complicated by protracted hypotony, macular edema, and poor visual outcome.