Uveitis in Children and Adolescents

Childhood noninfectious uveitis leads to sight-threatening complications. Idiopathic chronic anterior uveitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis –associated uveitis are most common. Inflammation arises from an immune response against antigens within the eye. Ophthalmic work-up evaluates anatomic involvement, disease activity, ocular complications, and disease course. Local and/or systemic glucocorticoids are initial treatment, but not as l ong-term sole therapy to avoid glucocorticoids-induced toxicity or persistent ocular inflammation. Children with recurrent, refractory, or severe disease require systemic immunosuppression with methotrexate and/or anti–tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody medications (adalimumab, infliximab). Goals of early detection and treatment are to optimize vision in childhood uveitis.
Source: Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America - Category: Rheumatology Authors: Source Type: research