Anterior Uveitis (1*)

Question 1

What is the Uvea?

What is Anterior Uveitis?

What is it usually due to?

How is it classified?
→ How do they differ?

What is it associated with?

Answer 1

➊ Highly vascular layer of the eye, involving the Iris, Ciliary body and Choroid

➋ Inflammation of the iris and/or ciliary body

➌ Usually Autoimmune – Infection, trauma, ischaemia, malignancy are other causes

➍ Acute or Chronic
→ Chronic AU is more granulomatous and has a less severe and longer duration of symptoms (3+ months)

➎ • Acute AU – IBD, Reactive Arthritis, Ank. Spond.
• Chronic AU – Sarcoidosis, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Syphilis etc.

Question 2

How does it present?

What is seen O/E?

Answer 2

➊ • Unilateral, painful red eye
• Blurred vision
• Ciliary flush (ring of red spreading from cornea outwards)
• Floaters – Due to inflammatory cells in anterior chamber
• Pupil constriction
• Photophobia

➋ • Hypopyon (collection of wbc’s in anterior chamber)
• Posterior Synechiae (abnormal shaped pupil)

Question 3

How is it managed?

Answer 3

• Corticosteroids – To reduce inflammation and prevent adhesions in the eye
• Cycloplegic-Mydriatics (e.g. Cyclopentolate or Atropine) eye drops – paralyses ciliary body and dilates pupil for pain relief