Presumed herpetic anterior uveitis: a study with retrospective analysis of 79 cases

To describe the clinical features, visual outcome, medical treatment, and complications of presumed herpetic anterior uveitis.

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data related to 79 eyes of 77 patients with presumed herpetic anterior uveitis seen at the Uveitis Unit of the Ulucanlar Eye Training and Research Hospital from 1996 to 2011. Age at onset of disease, sex, follow-up duration, existence of corneal involvement, posterior synechiae, distorted pupil, iris atrophy, characteristic of keratic precipitates, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), medical treatment, recurrence rate, complications, visual acuities (VA), and surgery for complications were recorded. The complication rates in patients with and without corneal involvement were compared.

There were 38 (49.4%) female and 39 (50.6%) male patients. The mean age at presentation was 48.5 ± 14.8 (20-82) years. The follow-up period was 26.5 (2-127) months. Two patients had bilateral involvement. Ocular findings were a corneal scar or active keratitis in 37 (46.8%) eyes, secondary glaucoma in 14 (17.7%), iris atrophy in 39 (49.4%), distorted pupil in 16 (20.3%), posterior synechiae in 23 (29.1%), and granulomatous anterior uveitis in 30 (40%) eyes. Eight (10.1%) eyes had a posterior subcapsular cataract. Glaucoma surgery was required for uncontrolled IOP with maximum medical treatment in 2 (2.4%) eyes. Long-term oral acyclovir was used in 9 (11.3%) patients. Final VA was ≤ 0.1 in 8 (10.1%) eyes; of these, 6 had either corneal scarring or cataract and 2 preexisting amblyopia.

Presumed herpetic anterior uveitis with or without keratitis has characteristic clinical findings that enable the diagnosis. Long-term prophylactic antiviral therapy should be considered especially in patients <50 years old.