Course and complications of intermediate uveitis

Intermediate uveitis is associated with a wide variety of complications, particularly in patients attending uveitis referral centres, but little information exists on the frequency of these complications in a general pool of patients. We reviewed all the cases known to have originated in one English county. 86 eyes of 48 patients with a mean follow-up of 48 months were affected. The principal threat to sight was cystoid macular oedema (31%). Other complications included vitreous haemorrhage (8%), disc swelling (5%), periphlebitis (21%) and cataract (5%). Most patients required no treatment other than observation and overall the visual outcome was good with 85% of patients and 63% of eyes having vision of 6/9 or better. Cystoid macular oedema and snowbanking were significantly associated with a worse visual outcome, whilst the other complications were not.