Pattern of uveitis from a tertiary eye care center in Himalayan belt of North India

PURPOSE: To study the clinical characteristics of uveitis in patients presenting to a tertiary care institute in the northern part of India, predominantly serving the population of Himalayan belt. METHODS: In this retrospective descriptive case series, data of 141 eyes of 102 patients diagnosed between January 2019 and January 2021 were analyzed. Patients were diagnosed, named, and meshed as per the Standardization of Uveitis Nomenclature. A panel of investigations (systemic and ocular ancillary investigations) were done, which was individualized according to the clinical picture. RESULTS: The mean age of presentation was 39.1 ± 14.62 years. A male predominance (62.7%) was noted. Unilateral presentation was seen in 61.8% of patients. Specific etiological diagnosis was not reached in 56.7% of cases. The incidence of infectious and noninfectious uveitis was 23.4% and 19.9%, respectively. The frequency of anterior, intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis was 23.4%, 11.3%, 46.8%, and 18.5%, respectively. Posterior uveitis was the most frequent anatomical location (46.8%). Tuberculous uveitis was the most common definitive etiology irrespective of location (18.5%). Anterior, intermediate, and posterior uveitis were more frequently idiopathic in origin. Sympathetic ophthalmitis was the most common cause for panuveitis. CONCLUSION: Uveitis significantly affected the working age group population. Despite the evolution of diagnostic investigations, etiology remained unknown in many cases of uveitis. Infectious etiology was more common. Posterior uveitis as the most frequent anatomical location in our study may be attributed to the tertiary care referral bias.