Anterior Uveitis

Question 1

What is anterior uveitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the anterior uvea (iris, ciliary body and choroid)

Question 2

What are the causes of anterior uveitis?

Answer 2

Autoimmune processes - most common
Infection
Trauma
Ischaemia
Malignancy

Question 3

What autoimmune diseases is anterior uveitis associated with?

Answer 3

Seronegative spondyloarthropathies
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
IBD
Sarcoidosis
Behcet’s disease

Question 4

What is the presentation of anterior uvetitis?

Answer 4

Painful red eye
Photophobia
Lacrimation
Blurred vision
Reduced visual acuity

Question 5

What findings on examination are indicative of anterior uveitis?

Answer 5

Ciliary flush - ring of red spreading from the cornea
Miosis - constricted pupil
Abnormally shaped pupil
Hypopyon

Question 6

What is the first line management of anterior uveitis?

Answer 6

Steroids - eye drops, oral or IV
Cycloplegics - cyclopentolate or atropine eye drops

Question 7

What are cycloplegics?

Answer 7

Cycloplegics dilate the pupil and reduce pain associated with ciliary spasm

Question 8

What is the management of recurrent anterior uveitis?

Answer 8

Immunosuppressants - DMARDs or anti-TNF medications

Question 9

What are the complications of anterior uveitis?

Answer 9

Visual loss
Secondary cataracts
Secondary glaucoma
Retinal detachment
Vitreous haemorrhage