aetiology

Last reviewed 12/2022

Most cases of uveitis are idiopathic, presumed to be due to an autoimmune process (1).

Other recognized causes include:

• Infections:
  • parasitic infection:
    • toxoplasmosis – common cause of posterior uveitis
  • viral infections:
    • cytomegalovirus
    • herpes simplex
    • herpes zoster
  • bacterial and treponemal:
    • tuberculosis
    • syphilis
• Systemic inflammatory disease:
  • HLA-B27-associated diseases:
    • ankylosing spondylitis
    • psoriatic arthritis
    • reactive arthritis
    • inflammatory bowel disease
  • sarcoidosis
  • juvenile idiopathic arthritis
  • Behçet disease (2)
  • multiple sclerosis (3)
• Neoplasms:
  • intraocular tumors, in particular, intraocular lymphoma (3)
• Trauma (1)
• Hypersensitivity to medications:
  • cidofovir and rifabutin (3)

References:

1. International Uveitis Study Group (IUSG). What is uveitis?
2. de Boer J. et al. Visual loss in uveitis of childhood. Br J Ophthalmol. 2003 Jul;87(7):879-84
3. Duranni OM et al. Degree, duration and causes of visual loss in uveitis. Br J Ophthalmol. 2004;88(9):1159-1162