Gary N Holland1, E Richard Stiehm. 1. Ocular Inflammatory Disease Center, Jules Stein Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California 90095-7003, USA. uveitis@jsei.ucla.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: To review issues related to the diagnosis, examination, and treatment of children with uveitis that are important for ophthalmologists. DESIGN: Literature review. METHOD: A review was made of pertinent reports from the medical literature, with commentary based on the authors' experiences and on discussions at an international workshop. RESULTS: There are differences between children and adults in the differential diagnosis and manifestations of uveitis that should be considered during evaluation. There may be a higher risk of some ocular complications such as uveitic glaucoma, and the presence of other unique complications, such as amblyopia, in young patients during follow-up. With regard to treatment, children with uveitis may have unique dosing requirements and drug-associated risks such as growth retardation with systemic corticosteroids that must be considered. Examination and treatment may also be more difficult with children because of problems with patient cooperation. CONCLUSIONS: There are unique patient care issues associated with uveitis in children that must be considered by care providers. Attention to these issues will improve the well-being of this patient population.
PURPOSE: To review issues related to the diagnosis, examination, and treatment of children with uveitis that are important for ophthalmologists. DESIGN: Literature review. METHOD: A review was made of pertinent reports from the medical literature, with commentary based on the authors' experiences and on discussions at an international workshop. RESULTS: There are differences between children and adults in the differential diagnosis and manifestations of uveitis that should be considered during evaluation. There may be a higher risk of some ocular complications such as uveitic glaucoma, and the presence of other unique complications, such as amblyopia, in young patients during follow-up. With regard to treatment, children with uveitis may have unique dosing requirements and drug-associated risks such as growth retardation with systemic corticosteroids that must be considered. Examination and treatment may also be more difficult with children because of problems with patient cooperation. CONCLUSIONS: There are unique patient care issues associated with uveitis in children that must be considered by care providers. Attention to these issues will improve the well-being of this patient population.
Authors: Janine A Smith; Friederike Mackensen; H Nida Sen; Julie F Leigh; Angela S Watkins; Dmitry Pyatetsky; Howard H Tessler; Robert B Nussenblatt; James T Rosenbaum; George F Reed; Susan Vitale; Justine R Smith; Debra A Goldstein Journal: Ophthalmology Date: 2009-08 Impact factor: 12.079