Material and Methods: This study involved 86 ankylosing spondilitis patients who were followed up in the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic. Medical history of the patients were evaluated. Detailed ophthalmological examination was performed in all patients. We searched for signs of old or active uveitic attacks. We measured intraocular pressure. Macular thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect presence of macular edema.

Results: Mean age of 86 patients (58M/28F) was 37.3±10.1 years (18-71 years). We detected acute anterior uveitis in 6 patients and signs of old anterior uveitic attacks in 15 patients (totally 21(24.4%) patients, 15 M/6 F). We did not detect intermediate or posterior uveitis in any patient. Uveitic involvement was bilateral in 14 patients and unilateral in 7 patients. Mean IOP was 16±1.8 mmHg. Cystoid macular edema was detected in 2 patients with acute attack. 2 uveitic eyes were pseudofakic. Visual acuity was ≥0.5 in all eyes except 2 eyes with uveitic cataract.

Conclusion: Patients with ankylosing spondilitis should be followed up regularly for eye involvement. Patients with anterior uveitis should be investigated for ankylosing spondilitis. Keywords : ankylosing spondilitis, eye, uveitis