anterior uveitis

Question 1

what is anterior uveitis?

Answer 1

-inflammation in the anterior part of the uvea

Question 2

what is the uvea?

Answer 2

• the middle layer of the eye that lies beneath the sclera

- made up of the iris, ciliary body and choroid

Question 3

which layer of the eye is the choroid?

Answer 3

the layer between the retina (deeper) and sclera (more superficial)

Question 4

what are some autoimmune causes for anterior uveitis?

Answer 4

• Reiter’s
• ulcerative colitis
• ankylosing spondylitis
• sarcoidosis

Question 5

what are some infective causes for anterior uveitis?

Answer 5

• TB
• syphilis
• herpes simplex
• herpes zoster

Question 6

what is acute anterior uveitis associated with?

Answer 6

HLA B27 conditions

• ankylosing spondylitis
• IBD
• reactive arthritis

Question 7

what does chronic anterior uveitis have associations with?

Answer 7

• sarcoidosis
• syphilis
• lyme disease
• TB
• herpes virus

Question 8

what are the two types of anterior uveitis and how do they differ in presentation?

Answer 8

Acute or chronic anterior uveitis

Chronic= more granulomatous (more macrophages) and has less severe and longer duration of symptoms (usually >3 months)

Question 9

how does anterior uveitis present?

Answer 9

• unilateral symptoms
• pain
• vision may be reduced
• photophobia
• red eye (circumcorneal)
• could get hypopyon

Examination:

• ciliary flush (a ring of red spreading from the cornea outwards)
• floaters and flashes
• synechiae (abnormally shaped pupi)

Question 10

what is the management for anterior uveitis?

Answer 10

Topical steroids:
-Prednisolone forte 1% hourly tapering over 4-8 weeks

Mydriatics:
-cyclopentolate 1% BD