Uveitis Flashcards
What immune cells infiltrate the anterior chamber of the eye to cause inflammation in uveitis?
- Neutrophils
- Lymphocytes
- Macrophages
What is the name given to the fluid inflammatory cell exudate found in the anterior chamber of the eye in uveitis?
hypopyon
What is the most common cause of uveitis?
autoimmune
Give 5 general causes of uveitis:
- Autoimmune
- Infection
- Trauma
- Ischaemia
- Malignancy
What are the 4 types of uveitis?
- Anterior uveitis
- Intermediate uveitis
- Posterior uveitis
- Panuveitis
What is anterior uveitis?
Localized primarily to the anterior segment of the eye, includes iritis (inflammation in the anterior chamber alone) and iridocyclitis (inflammation in the anterior chamber and anterior vitreous)
What is intermediate uveitis?
Localized to the vitreous cavity and/or pars plana (part of the ciliary body that extends posteriorly beyond the junction of the iris and sclera)
What is posterior uveitis?
Any form of retinitis, choroiditis, or inflammation of the optic disk
What is panuevitis?
Inflammation involving anterior, intermediate, and posterior structures
Name 6 causes of intermediate uveitis?
- Idiopathic
- Multiple sclerosis
- Sarcoidosis
- TB
- Syphilis
- Lyme disease
What are 7 causes of posterior uveitis?
- Idiopathic
- CMV
- HSV/VZV
- Sarcoidosis
- Syphilis
- TB
Name 5 causes of panuveitis?
- Idiopathic
- Sarcoidosis
- Vogt-Koynagi-Harada syndrome (VKH)
- TB
- Symphilis
Give 4 autoimmune diseases that are associated with uveitis:
1) seronegative spondyloarthropathies
2) inflammatory bowel disease
3) sarcoidosis
4) Behcet’s disease
Give 3 examples of seronegative spondyloarthropathies:
1) ankylosing spondylitis
2) psoriatic arthritis
3) reactive arthritis
What is Behcet’s disease?
A rare disorder that causes blood vessel inflammation resulting in mouth sores, eye inflammation, skin rashes and lesions and genital sores
Give 4 symptoms of uveitis:
1) painful, red eye (dull ache)
2) reduced visual acuity
3) photophobia
4) epiphora
Why is photophobia a symptom in uveitis?
inflammation of the ciliary muscle resulting in spasm and impaired response to light
What are 4 examination findings associated with uveitis?
- Ciliary flush
- Miosis
- Abnormally shaped pupil
- Hypopyon
What is ciliary flush?
A red ring spreading from the cornea outwards
What is miosis?
excessive constriction of the pupil
Why is miosis seen in uveitis?
the pupil constricts due to sphincter muscle contraction
What causes the abnormally shaped pupil seen in uveitis?
posterior synechiae (adhesions) that pull the iris into abnormal shapes
What two drug groups are the first line treatments for uveitis?
1) steroids
2) cycloplegics
What is meant by “cyclopelgic”?
a drug that paralyses the ciliary muscles
Why are cycloplegics used in uveitis?
they reduce the action of the muscles, dilating the pupils and reducing the pain associated with ciliary spasm
Give two examples of cycloplegic drugs:
1) cyclopentolate
2) atropine
(both anti-muscarinic agents)
What HLA type is a risk factor for uveitis?
HLA-B27
