ABSTRACT

To identify etiologic and demographic features of uveitis cases seen at the Bagcilar Education and Research Hospital in Turkey and to compare them with other studies.

A retrospective clinical review of a series of 65 uveitis cases was carried out at the Bagcilar Education and Research Hospital in Turkey. The patients had complete ophthalmic and medical examinations. The age and sex of the patients, anatomic localization, etiology, and laterality of the uveitis were analyzed. Laboratory studies were requested whenever indicated.

A total of 65 patients aged between 10 and 70 years old were included in our study. 31 (48%) patients were female and 34 (52%) were male. Idiopathic uveitis accounted for the majority of all cases (n=15, 23%). Behcet’s disease was the second most common diagnosis (n=15, 23%), followed by HLA-B27 associated uveitis (n=7, 11%). Anterior uveitis was the most common anatomical form (n=32, 49%), followed by panuveitis (n=23, 36%). Unilateral involvement was observed in 57% of cases.

The etiologic and demographic features of uveitis vary according to geographical location. The most frequently seen form of uveitis in our clinic is idiopathic. Behcet’s disease, the most commonly found etiologic disease, is followed, respectively, by HLA-B27 positive and ankylosing spondylitis. Larger studies are required to ascertain the exact etiologic and demographic distribution of uveitis in our country.

Keywords: Demography, etiology, uveitis