Anterior Uveitis Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is anterior uveitis?
inflammation in the anterior part of the uvea
What does the uvea consist of?
ciliary body
iris
choroid
What is the choroid?
layer between retina and sclera
filled with blood vessels
What is anterior uveitis also known as?
iritis
What causes anterior uveitis?
inflammation in the anterior chamber of the eye
What infiltrates the anterior chamber in anterior uveitis?
macrophages
neutrophils
lymphocytes
What often causes anterior uveitis?
autoimmune diseases also infection trauma ischaemia malignancy
What do the inflammatory cells cause for the patient?
floaters
What is the difference between acute and chronic uveitis?
chronic is more granulomatous (more macrophages)
less severe symptoms
longer duration of symptoms (3+ months)
What protein found in the blood is associated with acute anterior uveitis?
HLA B27
What are conditions associated with HLA B27?
ankylosing spondylitis
inflammatory bowel disease
reactive arthritis
What conditions is chronic anterior uveitis associated with?
sarcoidosis syphilis lyme disease tuberculosis herpes virus
How does anterior uveitis present?
unilateral symptoms
start spontaneously
may occur with flare of associated disease
10 symptoms of anterior uveitis?
dull/aching/painful red eye ciliary flush reduced visual acuity floaters and flashes miosis (constricted pupil) photophobia pain on movement excessive lacrimation posterior synchiae (abnormally shaped pupil) hypopyon
What is ciliary flush?
ring of red spreading from cornea outwards
What causes miosis?
sphincter muscle contraction
What causes photophobia?
ciliary muscle spasm
What causes posterior synechiae?
adhesions pulling the iris into abnromal shapes
What is hypopyon?
collection of WBCs in anterior chamber seen as yellowish fluid collected in front of lower iris with fluid level
What should happen if patients present with red eye?
seen by ophthalmologist same day for slit lamp assessment and intraocular pressures
Management of anterior uveitis?
steroids (oral, topical or IV)
cycloplegic-mydriatic medications
immunosuppressants
Management of AU in severe cases?
laser therapy
cryotherapy
surgery
What is a cycloplegic drug?
paralyses the ciliary muscles
What is a mydriatic drug?
dilates the pupils
