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Characteristics of childhood uveitis leading to visual impairment and blindness in the Netherlands

Ymkje M Hettinga1, Fleurieke H Verhagen, Maria van Genderen

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Bartiméus, Zeist, The Netherlands.

Acta Ophthalmologica
|July 1, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Childhood uveitis, particularly posterior and infectious types, frequently causes visual impairment and blindness. Causes are shifting, with fewer infectious cases and more idiopathic ones over time.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood uveitis is a significant cause of visual impairment and blindness in children.
  • Understanding the clinical characteristics and etiological trends of childhood uveitis is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical characteristics of childhood uveitis leading to visual impairment or blindness.
  • To identify trends in the causes of childhood uveitis over time.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study.
  • Reviewed medical records of 58 children with visual impairment or blindness due to childhood uveitis.
  • Data collected from January 1981 to December 2012 at an institute for visually impaired patients.

Main Results:

  • 55% of children were visually impaired, 45% legally blind.
  • Posterior uveitis occurred in 76% of cases; infectious uveitis in 74% (86% congenital).
  • Decreased infectious causes (p=0.04), increased idiopathic uveitis (p<0.01), and higher complications in acquired/non-infectious cases.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood uveitis causing severe vision loss is predominantly posterior and infectious, often congenital.
  • A notable shift in etiology is observed, with a decline in infectious causes and a rise in idiopathic cases.
  • These trends highlight evolving patterns in childhood uveitis and underscore the need for updated diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Abstract

Keywords:
blindnesschildhood uveitiscongenital infectionvision lossvisual impairment

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