Impact of uveitis profile on vision in Jordanian adults at king Hussein medical center

الملخص EN

Objective: to explore the severity and the causes of visual impairment related to uveitis and to determine the possible risk factors which contributed to severe visual deterioration.

Method: This was a cross sectional study conducted at King Hussein Medical Centre (KHMC) between June 2017 and June 2018.

All patients suffering from uveitis who attended to the ophthalmology clinic were enrolled in the study.

After collecting data from the patients regarding age, gender and the past medical history the patients were subjected to detailed ophthalmic exam including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Anterior segment exam using the slit lamp, intra ocular pressure exam using Golmann applanation tonometry and posterior segment exam using 78 and 90 diopter Volk lenses were performed.

Patients with other ocular diseases that affected visions not related to uveitis were excluded from the study.

Results: 72 patients (120 eyes) with a mean age of 32±12 (range 18-48 years).

43 patients (60%) were males.

33 eyes (28%) had acute uveitis.

Visual impairment was found in 43%of eyes with uveitis;14%,18% and 11% of eyes had mild, moderate and sever visual impairment respectively.

68% of eyes with posterior uveitis and 90% of eyes with pan-uveitis had moderate to severe impairment of vision.

The most common complication encountered was cataract which was found in 43% of eyes with uveitis.

Other complications like posterior synechiae, cystoid macular edema CME and glaucoma were reported in 28 %,22 % and 17% of eyes with uveitis respectively.

Behcet’s disease (8 %)and HLA B27 related uveitis (8%) were the most frequent known causes for uveitis.

69 % of eyes with severe visual impairment had duration of uveitis for ≥ 4 years.

64% of eyes with severe visual impairment had more than 2 years duration before starting systemic treatment.

Conclusion : Visual impairments are common among uveitis patients.

Risk factors for severe visual impairment in uveitis include; chronic uveitis, pan and posterior uveitis, long duration of uveitis, Behcet’s disease, posterior segment complication involving the macula and the optic nerve, Delay in starting systemic treatment and late referrals.