Uveitis is not just an ophthalmologists' concern

Abstract

Objective: To find the causes and characteristics of uveitis and its subtypes among Pakistani population, and to create awareness that early diagnosis and treatment of uveitis requires a multi-disciplinary approach.

Methods: The retrospective study involved 98 diagnosed uveitis patients. Data was analysed regarding associated systemic diseases, infections, ocular syndromes, anatomical localisation, age, and gender.

Results: In 85% of the patients, a classified form of uveitis was observed: associated systemic diseases were found in 24%, the most frequent one being sarcoidosis (9.8%) and V-K-H syndrome (7.4%); ocular syndromes were present in 10%, the most frequent being birdshot retinochoroidopathy (6.1%) and pars planitis (3.7%); and infections in 48%, the most frequent being tuberculosis (50.6%) and hepatitis (4.9%). Among classified uveitis, posterior uveitis was found in 46%, intermediate uveitis in 10% and anterior uveitis in 7% of the patients. Panuveitis was diagnosed in 36% of cases. The remaining 1% showed extrauveal manifestations.

Conclusions: Causes of uveitis vary considerably by geographic location around the world. Granulomatous diseases are the most frequent cause of uveitis in Pakistan. Hence, detailed and expensive investigations in our context are not justified in all patients. The data offer guidance to rheumatologists and consultant physicians to facilitate efficient diagnostic testing.