Demographic Data and Clinical Presentation of Pediatric Uveitis

Demographic Data and Clinical Presentation of Pediatric Uveitis Patients in Upper Egypt.

To describe and analyze the demographics, Clinical characteristics, etiology, and visual outcomes of pediatric uveitis cases attending the outpatient clinic of Ophthalmology department, Assiut University Hospital.

Uveitis is a form of eye inflammation that affects the middle layer of tissue in the eye wall (uvea).

It is the third leading cause of blindness worldwide .Uveitis is more common in adults; however, children comprise 2.2% to 21.6% of patients in various studies.Despite a lower incidence of uveitis in children, the rate of visual loss may be worse than that of adults . The onset of uveitis in children is often insidious and is only discovered during routine screening.The lack of significant symptoms and delayed presentation to an ophthalmologist leads to morbidity and a decrease in visual acuity . The length of time between the diagnosis of uveitis and the referral to a tertiary eye center is strongly correlated with the complications rate and degree of visual impairment.

Uveitis is classified according to the International Uveitis Study Group criteria based on the anatomical location of the inflammation and is categorized as anterior, intermediate, Posterior or panuveitis. It is also described based on clinical onset, duration and course.

Some uveitis syndromes are unique to children, such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), Kawasaki syndrome, Familial Juvenile Systemic Granulomatosis and Tubulointerstitial Nephritis-Uveitis syndrome. Other conditions are more prevalent in the pediatric population due to environmental factors such as trematode induced uveitis.

Due to the lack of epidemiological studies on the demographic and Clinical Characteristics of pediatric uveitis in Upper Egypt. This study aims to improve diagnosis, management, and treatment strategies tailored to the population.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Uveitis patients <18 years old
• must be able to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age over 18 years.
• Patients with post pentrating ocular trauma.
• Patients whose legal guardians are unwilling to participate in the study.