[Clinical features of uveitis in childhood during the past 20 years]

One hundred and fifty five cases (237 eyes) of children with uveitis were clinically observed in the past 20 years. There was no fluctuation in the number of patients during the period. Concerning the age as the first visit, the smallest group was under 4 years of age and the numbers of patients increased at ages 14 and 15. Chief complaints usually corresponded to the age of the cases. Cases with anterior uveitis accounted for 25% of all cases, intermediate uveitis 12%, posterior uveitis 45% and panuveitis consisted of 17% of all cases, respectively. In the course of treatment, improvement of visual acuity was not statistically significant; the visual prognosis of cases affected under age 7 years was relatively poor. At the time of final observation, the visual acuity of cases, who had first visited during the past 10 years, were better than those who presented during the previous decade. Uveitis had healed or improved in 68% of cases treated in our clinic. As complications, band-shaped keratopathy was seen in 8% of the patients, cataract in 22% and glaucoma in 5%, respectively. Thirty two per cent of the cases received systemic steroid therapy and the average duration was 3.8 months. Fifty two operations were performed in 30 cases (19%), 37 eyes (16%); 16 were cataract operations and 24 were operations for glaucoma.