What is uveitis and how is it anatomically classified?
Uveitis refers to inflammation of the uvea (the iris, ciliary body, and choroid). The term is broadly used to encompass inflammation within the eye and, therefore, includes adjacent anatomic locations and structures such as the aqueous and vitreous humor and retina. Knowledge of this condition is important to rheumatologists as some cases (up to 40% in tertiary referral centers) are associated with systemic disease. Anatomic classification and additional clinical features (see Question 15) can be important clues to forming the differential diagnosis and guiding a rationale, targeted workup.
- • Anterior uveitis: iris and ciliary body are the primary sites of inflammation; iritis (confined to iris) and iridocyclitis (iris + ciliary body) are examples (see Question 18).
- • Posterior uveitis: choroid and/or retina are the primary sites of inflammation (see Question 24).
- • Intermediate uveitis: vitreous is the primary site of inflammation; pars planitis and posterior cyclitis are examples (see Question 23).
- • Panuveitis: when there is no predominant site and all intraocular locations are affected.
