Chronic Uveitis in Children

Objective To describe the experience of managing chronic childhood uveitis from a tertiary care center in India. Methods All children diagnosed as chronic uveitis between January 2005 and December 2012 and on follow-up in Pediatric Rheumatology Clinic and Uveitis Clinic, were eligible for enrollment. Information regarding demographics, type of uveitis, treatment, complications, and surgical procedures was obtained from clinic records. All the enrolled patients were assessed for outcome prospectively and underwent a detailed ophthalmological examination to document visual acuity, refraction, intraocular pressure (IOP), slit lamp examination, fundus examination, and vitreous haze findings. Results Sixty-seven children with chronic uveitis were enrolled in the study. Anterior uveitis was the commonest type seen in 45 children. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) was the commonest known etiology and diagnosis of uveitis was made during routine screening in a majority of the JIA patients. No cause could be identified in 43% patients. After a mean follow-up period of 3.95 ± 1.99 y, only 16% eyes were in remission and off therapy. Prolonged oral glucocorticoids were required, besides other immunosuppressants, to control inflammation in 50% patients. Ocular complications were seen in 87% cases with posterior synechiae, band-shaped keratopathy and cataracts being the commonest complications. Conclusions Among patients with chronic uveitis, 43% had no identifiable cause. JIA was the commonest known cause. Significant ocular complications were common. Even after a mean follow-up of 3.95 ± 1.99 y, a vast majority continued to need immunosuppression for control of disease activity.