Behçet’s disease is an autoimmune disease caused by damage to the blood vessels throughout the body. Autoimmune diseases cause the immune system to attack and harm the body’s own tissues.
The cause of Behçet’s disease is not known, but it is believed that an autoimmune reaction may cause blood vessels to become inflamed. What triggers this reaction is still uncertain.
What are the Symptoms of Behçet’s disease?
Studies reveal that the disease affects sufferers in different ways, but the most common symptoms are genital sores, mouth sores, skin problems and inflammation inside the eye. Inflammation inside the eye (retinitis, uveitus and iritis) occurs in more than 50% of Behçet’s disease sufferers and can result in pain, blurred vision and redness.
What is the Treatment for Behçet’s disease?
Behçet’s disease cannot be cured, and typical treatment is to reduce discomfort and prevent serious complications. Medications such as corticosteroids - that suppress the immune system - may be prescribed to treat inflammation.
Prognosis for Behçet’s disease
Behçet’s disease is a recurring chronic disease, but there may be periods when the symptoms go away for a while. The severity of the disease will vary among patients, resulting in some living relatively normal lives while others can go blind or become seriously disabled.
Research is currently being undertaken with specific medications to control recurrent eye inflammations associated with Behçet’s disease. Positive results have been obtained and your eye care practitioner should be able to tell you more.
