Frequency and Visual Outcome of Choroidal Tubercles with Miliary Tuberculosis

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the frequency and visual outcome of choroidal tubercles
in diagnosed cases of Miliary Tuberculosis.
Material and Methods: A prospective study was conducted at Department of
Ophthalmology and institute of Chest Disease (OICD) Dow University Hospital
(DUH), Dow International Medical College (DIMC) and Dow University Of Health
Sciences (DUHS) Karachi, 24th April, 2010 to 23rd November, 2013. Two hundred
and seventy two (272) diagnosed cases of Miliary Tuberculosis referred from
Ojha Institute Of Chest Disease (OICD) to our department were included in the
study. Detailed examination at the first visit was conducted and then after 2
months and 6 months. Complete examination including visual acuity, color
vision, refraction, slit lamp examinations, intraocular pressure (IOP), and
posterior segment evaluation after pupil dilatation was performed. Fundus
photographs were also taken. Data was recorded and analyzed in SPSS version
16. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for age, gender and visual
outcome.
Results: Two hundred and seventy two (272) cases were included in the study.
Age ranges from 10 to 80 years with mean age being 45 years. There were 140
(51.41%) female and 132 (48.53%) males. Among these two hundred and
seventy two (272) cases, 14 (5.14%) had choroidal tubercles. They were all on
anti tuberculous treatment. Visual acuity improved from less than 6/60 to 6/9 or
6/6 in majority of cases after completion of treatment and healing of choroidal
tubercles was also noted.
Conclusion: The study is unique and done for the first time in Pakistan.
Frequency of choroidal tubercles with diagnosed cases of Miliary Tuberculosis is
5.14% with gender distribution female to male was 8:6. Visual outcome is better
if the patient is screened early and treated promptly.
Key Words: Choroidal Tubercles, Miliary Tuberculosis, Visual outcome