uveitis

Question 1

what is anterior uveitis?

Answer 1

Anterior uveitis describes inflammation of the anterior portion of the uvea - iris and ciliary body.

Question 2

what antibody assoc with anterior uveitis?

Answer 2

HLA-B27
may be seen in association with other HLA-B27 linked conditions

Question 3

what are features of anterior uveitis?

Answer 3

acute onset
ocular discomfort & pain (may increase with use)
pupil may be small +/- irregular due to sphincter muscle contraction
photophobia (often intense)
blurred vision
red eye
lacrimation
ciliary flush: a ring of red spreading outwards
hypopyon; describes pus and inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber, often resulting in a visible fluid level
visual acuity initially normal → impaired

Question 4

what conditions is anterior uveitis assoc with?

Answer 4

ankylosing spondylitis
reactive arthritis
ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease
Behcet’s disease
sarcoidosis: bilateral disease may be seen

Question 5

how do you manage anterior uveitis?

Answer 5

urgent review by ophthalmology
cycloplegics (dilates the pupil which helps to relieve pain and photophobia) e.g. Atropine, cyclopentolate
steroid eye drops