Differential Diagnosis of Viral-Induced Anterior Uveitis

Abstract

Diagnosis of uveitis is often challenging, but can be easy in typical viral-induced anterior uveitis (VIAU). Associated symptoms and signs are an important source of information. Certain classical clinical features such as keratic precipitates (KPs) distribution, iris atrophy, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), and unilaterality are commonly used to support the diagnosis of VIAU. However, many etiologies of anterior uveitis may to a certain extent mimic VIAU, especially the ones with unilateral granulomatous KPs and elevated IOP. This review begins with how the clinician can differentiate viral from nonviral anterior uveitis, and subsequently focuses on the key features which may aid in differentiating among the different viruses that cause VIAU.

Keywords: CMV; IOP; emerging; herpes; iris atrophy; keratic precipitates; rubella; uveitis; virus.