Uveitis classification

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Uveitis is a large disease entity that may be best described using various, concurrent classification systems. Uveitis may be classified according to anatomical location into 4 subtypes, depending on which part of the uvea is primarily affected: anterior, intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis. Based on the duration of symptoms it may be further sub-classified as acute or chronic. Upon further investigation, uveitis may be classified according to histological features of the inflammation such as granulomatous or non-granulomatous. Finally, uveitis may be described by the laterality of the condition: unilateral affecting one eye, or bilateral affecting both eyes.

Although there are numerous, poorly understood etiologies of Uveitis, it is possible to classify it by general underlying systemic cause such as: infectious, autoimmune, drug-induced, or idiopathic.

Classification

• Classification by Anatomical Location
  • Anterior uveitis involves inflammation in the front part of the eye. It is the most common form of uveitis, making up 40-70% of all uveitis cases. It is often called iritis because it is usually only effects the iris.
  • Intermediate uveitis (also known as cyclitis, pars planitis, or vitritis) involves inflammation of the ciliary body, the vitreous humor, and the front end of the retina. This is the least common form of uveitis, constituting 7-15% of cases.
  • Posterior uveitis (also known as choroiditis if just the choroid is involved, or chorioretinitis if the retina is also involved) affects the back part of the uvea and involves primarily the choroid, a layer of blood vessels and connective tissue in the middle part of the eye. It can also involve inflammation of the retina and optic nerve. It makes up 15-22% of all uveitis cases.
  • Panuveitis is the inflammation of the entire uvea, and it effects all layers of the uvea.
• Classification by Duration of Symptoms
  • Acute
  • Chronic
• Classification by type of inflammation
  • Granulomatous
  • Non-granulomatous
• Classification by Laterality
  • Unilateral
  • Bilateral
• Classification by Etiology
  • Idiopathic
  • Infectious
  • Autoimmune
  • Drug-Induced