Uveitis Flashcards
Define Uveitis?
Inflammation of the iris and ciliary body
What is the aetiology of Uveitis?
May be caused by infection (e.g. herpes simplex)
It can occur as a manifestation of systemic inflammatory conditions
What systemic inflammatory conditions can cause Uveitis?
E.g. Reactive arthritis Ankylosing spondylitis Inflammatory bowel disease Sarcoidosis Behcet's Disease
What is Sympathetic Ophthalmia?
Inflammation of the contralateral eye weeks/months after penetrating injury
This is due to recognition of eye antigens in the contralateral eye by T-cells that were activated by the inital penetrating injury to the opposite eye
What is the epidemiology of Uveitis?
Uveitis associated with spondyloarthritis is twice as common in MALES as females
What are the presenting symptoms of Uveitis?
Pain due to inflammation Pain during accommodation Photophobia Red eyes Blurred vision Lacrimation Rarely associated with tubulointerstitial nephritis (causing flank pain, haematuria, proteinuria)
What are the signs of Uveitis?
Reduced visual acuity Ciliary flish Hypopyon Small irregular pupil due to adhesions of the iris Slit Lamp Fundoscopy Signs of Complications Signs of underlying aetiology
What is Hypopyon?
Exudate and inflammatory cells in the inferior angle of the anterior chamber
What is a Slit Lamp?
Keratic precipitates (leucocyte deposits on the corneal endothelium)
Why do we do a Fundoscopy for Uveitis?
Exclude retinal detachment
What are the signs of complications in Uveitis?
Increased IOP
Cataract
What investigations do we do for Uveitis?
Investigations for associated systemic conditions (e.g. spondyloarthritides - sacroiliac joint X-ray, HLA-typing)
