Clinical-epidemiologic Characterization of Uveitis and its Relation to Visual Loss

Abstract

Objective: To clinically and epidemiologically characterize uveitis and its relation to vision loss.

Methods: A prospective and longitudinal observational study of case series was performed in 137 patients, seen in the uvea consultation of the Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Hospital, from February 2015 to February 2018. The following variables were studied: gender, age, anatomical classification of uveitis, classification of uveitis according to laterality of the crisis, etiology, ocular complications and vision loss. Tables and graphs were prepared to express the results in absolute numbers and percentages, and the chi-squared test of association and the phi correlation coefficient were used.

Results: Predominance was between 41 and 60 years of age (37.2 %) and female sex (60.6 %). Unilateral anterior uveitis of infectious cause was more frequent. The most frequent complication was cataract (25.8 %). Most patients presented vision loss, with predominance of mild vision loss (36.5 %). There was a statistically significant association between the anatomical classification of uveitis and the severity of vision loss.

Conclusions: The most affected patients were females between the fourth and sixth decade of life. Patients with unilateral anterior uveitis predominated. Infections were the most common cause, and cataract was the most frequent complication. The severity of vision loss was directly related to the anatomical classification of uveitis.