Complications of Uveitis: The Northern California Epidemiology of Uveitis Study

Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2018;26(4):584-594. doi: 10.1080/09273948.2016.1247174. Epub 2017 Jan 23.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the uveitis complications in a large, community-based cohort.

Methods: Retrospective, community-based, cross-sectional cohort study analyzing complications and associations with complications.

Results: A total of 844 cases of uveitis were found; 342 were new-onset, and 462 were prior-onset. In total, 29.5% of patients were affected by one or more complications associated with age, gender, course, and anatomic location of uveitis. Visual loss was experienced by 19.1% of patients and was associated with age, course of disease, and anatomic location of uveitis. Of the patients who developed glaucoma or elevated intraocular pressure over 30 mmHg, 3.9% (n = 33) were related solely to uveitis; 5.2% (n = 44) had an unclear or combined mechanism; and 1.8% (n = 15) were related solely to steroid response. Cystoid macular edema was associated with course of disease and anatomic location of uveitis.

Conclusions: Complications affect a significant portion of uveitis patients, and are often associated with demographic and clinical factors.

Keywords: Complications; epidemiology; glaucoma; steroid-response; uveitis.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • California / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glaucoma / epidemiology
  • Glaucoma / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Uveitis / complications*
  • Uveitis / epidemiology
  • Visual Acuity*