OBJECTIVE

To report on the causes of uveitis in children and young adults and their effects on visual functions.

METHODS

Two hundred and seventy six patients, 18 years old or younger, with uveitis were included in this study. The intraocular inflammation (uveitis) was classified according to anatomical site of ocular involvement and the most probable etiological factor. The final diagnosis was based on clinical manifestations and the results of specific laboratory investigations.

RESULTS

Bilateral intraocular inflammation was observed in 70.3% of the cases and 29.7% had either the left or the right eye involved. The symptomatology was relatively mild in most cases despite the fact that the visual acuity was markedly affected. An associated systemic disease was detected in 40.2% of the cases classified as non-infectious. Of this group, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis was the most common single systemic associated cause detected in 41 children. In 110 children (59.8%), the uveitis was strictly confined to the eyes with 70 of these (25.4% of the total group) classified as idiopathic. Parasites were the most common infectious-associated cause for the uveitis followed by viruses and bacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Uveitis is highly prevalent among children. In children, symptomatology of the intraocular inflammation may be very mild. However, visual acuity is markedly reduced leading to amblyopia in the young children. Early detection and treatment is therefore of utmost importance.