Role of Investigations in Uveitis

Background:To outline the need/use of investigations in cases of uveitis. Methods and Patients:This study was carried out from April 2001 to July 2004 in Unit-I, affiliated to Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore. Total duration was more than 3-years. All the patients underwent complete ophthalmological and medical evaluation. Eye examination included record of visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit lamp biomicroscopy and examination of the posterior segment with indirect ophthalmoscope and 78D lens. Baseline screening tests were advised in all cases of uveitis. Special investigations were ordered only when there was high clinical suspicion of systemic diseases. Results: 69 eyes of 42 patients of uveitis of different varieties were followed for more than 3 years. 71% of the patients were male while 29% were female. 60% of the patients belonged to younger age group between 20-39 years of age. Anterior uveitis was present in 69% of patients, 20% of these patients had unilateral recurrent anterior uveitis while 21% had posterior uveitis, and remaining 10% had other types of uveitis. Baseline screening investigations revealed raised ESR in all 42 patients and lymphocytosis in the patient with carcinoma of prostate. All other investigations whether baseline or specialized were negative. Conclusion:We conclude that detailed investigations are not justified in all patients of uveitis and they should be ordered only when a reasonable chance exists that they will provide useful diagnostic information for a particular patient.