Antituberculosis therapy in the treatment of peripheral uveitis

Tuberculous uveitis usually appears as chronic anterior uveitis or disseminated choroiditis. From 1982 to 1989, we conducted a retrospective study of 23 patients with presumed tuberculous uveitis. All patients had a positive tuberculin purified protein derivative skin test. The diagnosis was based on history, positive skin test, and physical examination. We excluded other conditions that could induce uveitis, based on the absence of signs, symptoms, or laboratory results suggesting any other diagnosis. Tuberculous uveitis was also considered in the differential diagnosis when progressive ocular inflammation was resistant to corticosteroid therapy. The patients received the following treatment: (1) isoniazid (300mg/day) and rifampin (600mg/day) for nine to 12 months, (2) ethambutol (1200mg/day) in some cases for two to three months, and (3) corticosteroids orally where indicated. In cases with anterior uveitis, we added local instillation of mydriatics and corticosteroids. There was no regression, nor were there any side effects of antituberculosis therapy in all 23 patients. We noted clinical improvement in 78% of cases. Five patients had other conditions (cataract or retinal detachment) that worsened their vision.