Two differing presentations of chronic bilateral anterior uveitis

Bilateral, recurrent, or chronic anterior uveitis requires a diagnostic evaluation to rule out any systemic cause. An understanding of the possible etiologies and their diagnostic criteria is needed to manage these patients. Treating any systemic cause can decrease the recurrent or chronic nature of the uveitis and favorably alter the course. Many possible systemic conditions are capable of causing anterior uveitis, including sarcoidosis.

Two cases of chronic, recurrent, bilateral uveitis are presented. Both were evaluated for any systemic etiology. After extensive systemic workups, the first case had no identifiable systemic etiology, whereas the second case was associated with systemic sarcoidosis.

Although a medical workup may be necessary, it will not always lead to a systemic diagnosis. The literature indicates that up to about 50% of uveitic cases have no identified causes.