The Presence of Optic Disc Drusen in Eyes with Uveitis

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2023 Oct;31(8):1700-1706. doi: 10.1080/09273948.2023.2193843. Epub 2023 Apr 17.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the coexistence of optic disc drusen (ODD) in eyes with uveitis.

Methods: In this retrospective, observational study, patients followed up in a uvea clinic with all types of uveitis were evaluated. ODD were confirmed by ocular ultrasonography, optic nerve head enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, and fundus photography.

Results: ODD were detected in 17 of 545 (3.1%) uveitis patients. The mean age was 18.9 ± 10.4 years, and 76.5% were female. 45.5% were anterior, 42.4% were panuveitis, 6.1% were intermediate, and 6.1% were posterior uveitis. ODD were found bilaterally in all 17 patients; uveitis was unilateral in one patient. 58.8% were under the age of 18, and in this group, the rate of buried ODD was 78.9% (p = 0.039). In adults (seven patients), ODD were buried in 42.9%.

Conclusion: ODD can be detected in eyes with uveitis and may clinically mimic optic disc edema, lead to misdiagnosis and/or overtreatment.

Keywords: Drusen; optic disc drusen; optic disc edema; papilledema; uveitis.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Optic Disk Drusen* / complications
  • Optic Disk Drusen* / diagnosis
  • Optic Disk*
  • Papilledema* / diagnosis
  • Papilledema* / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence / methods
  • Uveitis* / complications
  • Uveitis* / diagnosis
  • Young Adult