[Uveitis in children and adults: focus on inflammatory rheumatic geneses]

Uveitis is an inflammation of the uveal tract and accounts for approximately 20% of cases of legal blindness in Western industrialized countries. About 20% of all uveitis cases are associated with a noninfectious systemic disease, with inflammatory rheumatic diseases being of particular importance. The first diagnostic step is anatomical classification according to the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature (SUN) criteria. In adults, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27-associated acute anterior uveitis predominates. In children, the mostly asymptomatic chronic uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis is of primary relevance and requires risk-adapted ophthalmological screening. Laboratory testing should be strictly guided by clinical indications. In addition to topical and intraocular corticosteroids, treatment comprises conventional and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, the selection of which depends largely on the underlying disease.