13th February 2025

Clinical features of uveitis

Ocular signs and symptoms depend on the anatomical distribution of inflammation:

Table 5 Presentation of uveitis

Acute anterior uveitis can be recurrent and is most commonly unilateral. Patients may present with rapid onset of eye pain, redness and photophobia. Visual acuity is usually only mildly impaired but this may be variable, dependent on severity. Conjunctival hyperaemia is usually present, and miosis may be seen as a result of pupillary sphincter spasm. Cells may be present in the anterior chamber and hypopyon describes a cream-coloured exudate made up of inflammatory cells which may settle in the inferior part of the anterior chamber.

The rest of this section will explore key causes of uveitis.