Etiology and Clinical Features of Ocular Inflammatory Diseases in a Tertiary Center in Lebanon

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the pattern of uveitis in patients presenting to the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) uveitis service in Lebanon.

Methods: The charts of patients seen between January 2009 and September 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Data pertaining to patient demographics, eye examination on presentation, workup, and final diagnoses were collected.

Results: The total number of charts reviewed was 209. The most common noninfectious etiologies were Behçet disease, sarcoidosis, and HLA-B27-associated uveitis, while toxoplasmosis, herpes, and tuberculosis were the most common infectious etiologies. The mean duration of the disease before presentation to our center was 38 ± 56 months (range 0-284 months), with cataract formation in 90/234 (38%) and visual impairment in 134/291 (46%) eyes on presentation.

Conclusions: This case series reveals a significant delay in referring uveitis cases to a specialized center, which may contribute to the high percentage of patients presenting with ocular complications.

Keywords: Lebanon; ocular infection; ocular inflammation; uveitis; uveitis etiology.