Uveitis in juvenile chronic arthritis: incidence, clinical features and prognosis

Three hundred and fifteen patients with anterior uveitis and juvenile chronic arthritis were reviewed in order to determine the incidence, visual prognosis, and the clinical characteristics of the intraocular inflammation. The overall incidence of uveitis was 20%. Approximately 25% of patients had relatively mild and/or transient involvement and an excellent visual prognosis. In 50% the uveitis was more severe but could be controlled with topical medication. In the remaining 25% the visual prognosis was poor due to the intractable nature of the uveitis and the subsequent development of vision-threatening complications. The majority of patients (74%) were under the age of 8 years when the uveitis was first diagnosed. Clinically, the intraocular inflammation was most frequently an asymptomatic, chronic, non-granulomatous, iridocyclitis which was bilateral in 71% of cases. Other ocular lesions, which were rare, included keratoconjunctivitis sicca and corneal melting.