Uveitis: A Potentially Blinding Disease

Vol. 218, No. 4, 2004

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Review

Uveitis: A Potentially Blinding Disease
O.M. Durrani^a, C.A. Meads^b, P.I. Murray^a

^aAcademic Unit of Ophthalmology,
^bDepartment of Public Health and Epidemiology, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmologica 2004;218:223-236 (DOI: 10.1159/000078612)

Key Words

Uveitis
Epidemiology of uveitis
Blindness
Uveitis, quality of life
Cost of blindness

Abstract

Uveitis (intraocular inflammation) is a potentially blinding group of, probably autoimmune, conditions predominantly occurring in the working age group. Although the aetiology is unknown in most cases, many patients have an associated underlying systemic disease. Central vision loss, in the form of cystoid macular oedema, is the commonest type of visual impairment. Although historical incidence and prevalence data exists, little is known about the degree of vision loss experienced, and the social and financial consequences of having temporary or permanent visual impairment in this age group. The literature is also full of uncontrolled studies and case reports of different modalities of drug therapy for uveitis. This article attempts to raise the awareness of uveitis as an important sight-threatening group of conditions by highlighting the paucity of evidence-based data on epidemiological, quality of life, socioeconomic, and therapeutic aspects.

Author Contacts

Prof. P.I. Murray, Academic Unit of Ophthalmology
Division of Immunity and Infection, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre
Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, City Hospital
Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QU (UK)
Tel. +44 121 5076851, Fax +44 121 5076853, E-Mail P.I.Murray@bham.ac.uk

Article Information

Received: December 12, 2003
Accepted: January 2, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 14
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 177

Medline Abstract (ID 15258410)

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