Anterior Uveitis

Question 1

What is anterior uveitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the anterior portion of the uveal tract, especially the iris and ciliary body

Also referred to as iridocyclitis.

Question 2

What are some causes of anterior uveitis?

Answer 2

Systemic diseases, infections, malignancies, trauma

Examples include juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.

Question 3

Is anterior uveitis considered a true ocular emergency?

Answer 3

No, but it requires discussion and follow-up with ophthalmology

Question 4

What are the symptoms of anterior uveitis?

Answer 4

Sudden onset unilateral red and painful eye, photophobia, tearing without purulent discharge, perilimbal injection, constricted pupil, reduced visual acuity

Symptoms may affect both eyes.

Question 5

What is photophobia in the context of anterior uveitis?

Answer 5

Sensitivity to light due to ciliary muscle spasm

Consensual photophobia is particularly suggestive of anterior uveitis.

Question 6

What is a hallmark finding of anterior uveitis on slit lamp examination?

Answer 6

Keratitic precipitates on the corneal endothelium

Anterior chamber cells

Flare (looks like stars in the sky)

Keratitic precipitates

These are deposits of white cells.

Question 7

What does ‘flare’ refer to in slit lamp examination?

Answer 7

Proteinaceous transudate from the ciliary vessels

Question 8

What are ‘cells’ in the anterior chamber observed during examination?

Answer 8

White blood cells in the anterior chamber

Question 9

What is hypopyon?

Answer 9

White cells settling in the anterior chamber, visible to the naked eye

Indicates severe inflammation.

Question 10

How does pain manifest in anterior uveitis?

Answer 10

Pain worsens with ocular movements and accommodation

Question 11

What is perilimbal injection?

Answer 11

Circumcorneal injection, a differentiating feature from conjunctivitis

Question 12

What pupil characteristics are associated with anterior uveitis?

Answer 12

Constricted, often irregular and sluggish pupil

Can have synecehia which are adhsesions causing abnormal pupil

Question 13

What is the typical intraocular pressure range in anterior uveitis?

Answer 13

10-20 mmHg

Question 14

Fill in the blank: Anterior uveitis can cause reduced _______ if the condition is severe.

Answer 14

visual acuity

Question 15

True or False: Tearing in anterior uveitis is usually accompanied by purulent discharge.

Answer 15

False