We conducted a retrospective analysis of 394 patients with uveitis seen at Kyung Hee University Medical Center from January 1982 to June 1987 to determine the frequency of occurence and to study the clinical characteristiscs of various form of uveitis. The results were as follows; 1. In classification of uveitis by location, 309 patients(78.4%) were anterior uveitis, 41 patients(10.4%) were posterior uveitis, 31 cases(7.9%) occurred as panuveitis. Pars planitis accounted for 13 cases(3.3%). Anterior uveitis was the most common causes of uveitis. 2. In cases of anterior uveitis, 127 cases(32.7%) were idiopathic iridocyclitis, 121 cases(30.7%) were traumatic iridocyclitis. In cases of posterior uveitis, Tuberculous uveitis was seen in 11 cases(2.8%), and Toxoplasmic chorioretinitis occured 10 cases(2.5%). In case of panuveitis, Behcet's disease was observed 10 patients(2.5%), and was the most common cause of panuveitis, pars planitis accounted for 13 cases(13.3%). 3. In aspect of age of uveitis, the peak age was 16~45 yrs.(60.6%). In case of anterior uveitis and pars planitis, peak age group was 16~45 yrs. In case of posterior uveitis and panuveitis, peak age group was 31~60 yrs. 4. In clinical characteristics of uveitis by location, anterior uveitis occurred at mostly younger age than did any uveitis(27.8 yrs.) in average age of diagnosis. In sex ratio, male patient of pars planitis predominated with over 3 times number of female patient. In the average duration of illness from the date of first symptom to date of first recorded quiescence, anterior uveitis was mostly shorter duration than did any uveitis(1.1 Mon.). 5. In the evaluation of laterality, all cases showed binocular equal distribution except pars planitis. 6. The largest number of complication was showed in panuveitis. 7. The most common symptom of uveitis was visual disturbance.
Academic Medical Centers ; Chorioretinitis ; Classification* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Iridocyclitis ; Male ; Panuveitis ; Pars Planitis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Ratio ; Telescopes ; Uveitis* ; Uveitis, Anterior ; Uveitis, Posterior

Uveitis is a comprehensive term that indicates the inflammation of not only the uvea but also its adjacent tissues, and its etiology, clinical feature and prognosis are various. Uveitis can be classified in a variety of ways and this fact makes it difficult to compare each result. So we classified uveitis by the location with the method of Henderly, D.E.(1986): ant-, post-, intermediate- and panuveitis. We determined the frequency of occurrence, etiology and clinical characteristics of various forms of uveitis in Korea. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 683 patIents with uveitis seen at Seoul National University Hospital from January 1978 to December 1987 and the results were as follows. 1. 192 cases(29.1%) occurred as anterior uveitis, 218 cases(31.9%) as posterior uveitis, 166 cases(24.3%) as panuveitis and 107 cases(15.7%) as pars planitis: Posterior uveitis was the most common form of uveitis. 2. In cases of anterior uveitis, 142 cases(70.4%) were idiopathic, traumatic uveitis was seen in 18 cases(9.4%). In posterior uveatis, III cases(50.9%) were idiopathic, retinal vasculitis including Eales' disease in 60 cases(27.5%) and toxo-plasmosis in 23 cases(10.6%). In cases of panuveitis, idiopathic form occurred in 80 cases(48.2%), Behcet's disease in 41 cases(24.7%): Idiopathic form was the most common entity in all locations of uveitis.
Classification ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Korea* ; Panuveitis ; Pars Planitis ; Prognosis ; Retinal Vasculitis ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Uvea ; Uveitis* ; Uveitis, Anterior ; Uveitis, Posterior

PURPOSE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on chronic uveitis in Korean patients. METHODS: This study included 25 patients with chronic uveitis who used MMF and were followed up more than 6 months in 2 referral centers from 2010 to 2014. The medical records were analyzed retrospectively. The therapeutic effect was assessed based on control of inflammation, corticosteroid sparing effects, and discontinuation of MMF, and the safety was assessed based on side effects. Control of inflammation was defined as no active inflammation observed on at least 2 consecutive visits 28 days apart or more. RESULTS: The 25 patients consisted of 18 males and 7 females. The mean age of the patients was 47.52 years. The etiology of uveitis was as follows: Behcet's disease in 15 patients (60%), Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease in 4 (16%), sympathetic ophthalmia in 2 (8%), systemic lupus erythematosus in 1 (4%), and idiopathic uveitis in 3 (12%). Anatomic classification was anterior uveitis in 20% and posterior uveitis or panuveitis in 80% of patients. Complete control of inflammation was achieved in 44% and 50% of patients within 6 months and 1 year, respectively. Systemic corticosteroid dosage was reduced to 10 mg of prednisone or less while maintaining sustained control of inflammation in 36% and 45% of patients for 6 months and 1 year, respectively. MMF was discontinued in 3 patients (12%) due to side effects and in 2 patients (8%) due to lack of effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: MMF was effective and side effects were uncommon when managing chronic uveitis in Korean patients.
Classification ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Male ; Medical Records ; Ophthalmia, Sympathetic ; Panuveitis ; Prednisone ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies ; Uveitis* ; Uveitis, Anterior ; Uveitis, Posterior ; Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To describe the visual and clinical outcomes of 3 patients with sympathetic ophthalmia treated with a combination of systemic steroids and methotrexate. METHODS: This was a small, descriptive case series. RESULTS: We reported 3 cases of post-traumatic sympathetic ophthalmia treated with steroids and methotrexate. Two patients had inciting eyes with no light perception on presentation, while one had a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of counting fingers. The initial BCVA of the sympathizing eyes ranged from 20/20 to 20/50. Control of ocular inflammation was achieved using methotrexate (12.5 to 15 mg weekly) in addition to oral steroids and topical therapy. The final BCVA of the sympathizing eyes ranged from 20/20 to 20/30, indicating that good visual outcomes were attainable with steroids and methotrexate as part of the maintenance regimen. None of the patients developed adverse side-effects from methotrexate. CONCLUSION: This small case series demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of methotrexate for control of intraocular inflammation in sympathetic ophthalmia.
Ophthalmia, Sympathetic ; Methotrexate ; Panuveitis ; Steroids

PURPOSE: Retisert(TM) (fluocinolone acetonide implant) has recently been approved for clinical use in patients with noninfectious posterior uveitis. We report a patient with intractable chronic Behcet's panuveitis who underwent Retisert(TM) implantation and showed a favorable outcome. METHODS: A 30-year-old male affected with intractable Behcet's uveitis of both eyes for over one year which did not respond to oral steroids and immunosuppressants; subcutaneous interferon injection caused undesirable side effects such as impotency and pyrexia. Initial visual acuities were 20/1000 in the right eye and 20/100 in the left eye, and both eyes showed severe panuveitis with posterior subcapsular cataract, especially in the right eye. The subtenon triamcinolone injection was performed in the right eye, which was only effective to anterior uveitis, and Retisert(TM) was implanted in the right eye after the cataract operation. Two months later the visual acuity increased to 20/25, and the inflammation was totally controlled. There were no ocular or systemic adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Retiserttrade mark is a fast, effective, and safe treatment for chronic, non.infectious posterior uveitis.
Adult ; Cataract ; Eye ; Fever ; Fluocinolone Acetonide ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interferons ; Male ; Panuveitis ; Steroids ; Triamcinolone ; Uveitis ; Uveitis, Anterior ; Uveitis, Posterior ; Visual Acuity

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease which frequently involves eyes and adnexal tissues. Its prevalence of ocular involvement is reported as about 20%, although it varies widely according to authors, from 12% to 73%. Ocular sarcoidosis is present as various forms - uveitis, conjunctival involvement, optic nerve involvement, and orbital involvement. All the forms of uveitis - anterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis and panuveitis - can be shown in sarcoidosis. Because clinical manifestation, prognosis and treatment are determined by the location of uveitis, it is important to classify uveitis. Conjunctival involvement is not a sight-threatening condition in general, its diagnostic value may be of use. Optic nerve is the most commonly involved cranial nerve, which can impair vision. Subjects with visual impairment without any evidence of uveitis, optic nerve involvement should be suspected. Orbital involvement, especially lacrimal gland involvement is common, and it may cause mass-effect. Besides systemic administration of drugs, there are several localized treatments for ocular sarcoidosis - topical eye drops, intra/peri-ocular injection of agents.
Cranial Nerves ; Granuloma ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Optic Nerve ; Orbit ; Panuveitis ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Sarcoidosis* ; Uveitis ; Uveitis, Anterior ; Uveitis, Intermediate ; Uveitis, Posterior ; Vision Disorders

Nd-YAG laser is known as a safe and effective treatment for posterior capsular opacity after cataract surgery. We studied the ocular complications after Nd-YAG laser treatment in uveitis patients. From January 1991 to December 1996, we retrospectively investigated the complications of uveitis in 22 persons(25 eyes) after Nd-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy, and also investigated that of nonuveitis in 563 persons(635 eyes) as a control group. The uveitis cases consisted of six anterior uveitis, eight intermediate uveitis, seven Behcet`s syndromes, three panuveitis, and one posterior uveitis. In the uveitis group, the complications(18 eyes) consisted of three retinal detachments, one giant retinal tear, three glaucoma, two aggravations of uveitis, two vitreous opacities, one retinal emorrhage, one proliferative vitreoretinopathy, one hyphema, and four transient high intraocular pressures(IOP), and in the control group, it consisted of two subluxations of intraocular lens(IOL), three glaucomas, one retinal tear, three transient high IOPs, two vitreous opacities, two retinal hemorrhages, three macular holes, two retinal detachments, and five cystoid macular edemas. From our experience, the incidence of complications after Nd-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in uveitis was higher than that in nonuveitis. It was also noted that it is necessary to follow up thoroughly the complications after Nd-YAG laser posterior capsulotomy in uveitis patients.
Cataract ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Hyphema ; Incidence ; Lasers, Solid-State* ; Macular Edema ; Panuveitis ; Posterior Capsulotomy* ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinal Hemorrhage ; Retinal Perforations ; Retinaldehyde ; Retrospective Studies ; Uveitis* ; Uveitis, Anterior ; Uveitis, Intermediate ; Uveitis, Posterior ; Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the frequency of rheumatic diseases within uveitis patients visiting the department of Ophthalmology and evaluated the clinical value of serological testing and ophthalmologic findings in patients with uveitis in a community-based practice in Korean population. METHODS: On a retrospective basis, we reviewed the medical records of patients with uveitis, who had been treated at the Department of Ophthalmology of Inje University Ilsan Paik Hospital between January 2005 and March 2010. All patients with uveitis were reviewed regarding their ocular histories and findings, rheumatologic medical histories and manifestations, and pelvis anteroposterial view of plain radiographies to identify the sacroilitis. In addition, we tested for rheumatoid factor, antinuclear antibody, and HLA-B27. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients with uveitis were included in the study. HLA-B27 associated uveitis was present in 64 patients (59.8%) the number of patients with sacroilitis on plain pelvis radiography was 38 patients (37.8%). Fifty-one patients (47.7%) were diagnosed as having systemic rheumatic diseases. The majority of these patients had anklylosing spondylitis (AS) (70.3%) and Bechet's disease (18.9%). The most common type of uveitis was anterior uveitis (90.7%), followed by panuveitis (3.7%) and posterior uveitis (3.7%). The recurrence rate and number of floating cells were greater in patients with rheumatic diseases than patients without rheumatic diseases. CONCLUSION: The majority of rheumatic disease related with uveitis were AS and Bechet's disease. HLA-B27 and pelvis plain radiography can be useful tools for screening the spondyloarthropathies with uveitis. Recurrent and severe uveitis might represent an accompanying rheumatic disease.
Antibodies, Antinuclear ; HLA-B27 Antigen ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Ophthalmology ; Panuveitis ; Pelvis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Sacroiliitis ; Serologic Tests ; Spondylarthropathies ; Spondylitis ; Uveitis ; Uveitis, Anterior ; Uveitis, Posterior

This disease entity, first described under the desgnation of cyclitis by Ernst Fuchs, has received renewed attention in the recenet years, having been described as peripheral uveitis, pars planitis, and cyclitis with peripheral chorioretinitis. Apparently new ophthalmoscopic findings have caused some obserbers to believe they are dealing with a new entity, because indirect ophthalmoscopy with scleral depression shows exudation in the pars plana region in severe or advanced cases. In this entity, The following characteristic findings are noted, occurring bilaterally, inflammatory cells in anterior vitreous, slight flare and cells in the anterior chamber in come instances, dilated veins, and snowball deposition of inflammatory cells over the pare plana and ora serrata, seen with scleral depression and indirect ophthalmoscope extending over the lower 180 degrees. Cystoid macular degeneration are demonstrated with fluorescein angiography in over half the caces; papilledema may occur in late cases; and peripheral retinal perivascular sheathing is noted in long standing cases.
Anterior Chamber ; Chorioretinitis ; Depression ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Macular Degeneration ; Ophthalmoscopes ; Ophthalmoscopy ; Papilledema ; Pars Planitis* ; Retinaldehyde ; Uveitis ; Veins

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the soluble Fas (sFas) levels in both sera and aqueous humor in patients with uveitis and compare them to the uveitis severity. METHODS: We measured the sFas levels in both sera and aqueous humor (AH) of patients (n=40) with uveitis and non-uveitis controls (n=27). The patients with uveitis comprised 24 Behcet's disease, 6 panuveitis, 5 anterior uveitis, 2 lens induced uveitis, 1 Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-disease, 1 sarcoidosis, and 1 retinal vasculitis. The severity of uveitis was determined by the Hogan's grading method (0~4 grade) at the time of sampling. RESULTS:The concentration of aqueous sFas in uveitis patients was significantly higher than that in nonuveitis controls, while there was no difference in the serum concentration of sFas between the two groups. In the paired samples of serum and AH, obtained simultaneously, the aqueous sFas levels were higher than serum Fas levels in patients with uveitis, whereas the non-uveitis controls displayed significantly lower sFas levels in AH than in the serum. The sFas levels in AH or serum were not different between Behcet's uveitis and non-Behcet's uveitis. However, in patients with Behcet's uveitis, circulating sFas strongly correlated with aqueous sFas, which was not so in those with non-Behcet's uveitis. Patients (n=29) with more active (grade> or =2) uveitis had significantly higher levels of aqueous sFas than those (n=11) with less active (grade<2) uveitis. After treatment with steroid and/or immunosuppressive agents, aqueous sFas levels were decreased in parallel with a reduction in the number of inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of sFas were elevated in patients with uveitis and correlated well with uveitis severity.
Anterior Chamber ; Aqueous Humor ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Panuveitis ; Retinal Vasculitis ; Sarcoidosis ; Uveitis* ; Uveitis, Anterior