[Endogenous uveitis during pregnancy--a report of 4 cases]

To estimate the influence of pregnancy on the clinical course of endogenous uveitis.

Four pregnant women (6 eyes) aged 16-21 yrs with uveitis of unknown etiology were observed. In two cases uveitis was bilateral while other two patients developed unilateral intraocular inflammation. At the time when the pregnancy was diagnosed systemic steroids were discontinued. Ophthalmic examination was performed every 1-2 months and then 3-8 months after delivery.

In all cases, before pregnancy, the active stage of uveitis was observed; vitreous flare and vitreous cells were present in all cases (6 eyes). Iritis was present in one patient (1 eye), inflammatory chorioretinal lesions in 2 cases (3 eyes), while retinal vasculitis was observed in one case (1 eye). During pregnancy as well as within 3-8 months of follow-up after delivery, neither progression nor recurrences of uveitis were observed. In all patients gradual, total regression of intraocular inflammation with the improvement of visual acuity in 3 cases were noted.

Our observations can suggest positive influence of pregnancy on uveitis activity.