Role of the vitreous in the prognosis of peripheral uveitis.

We studied 116 eyes with peripheral uveitis (mean follow-up, 5.0 years) to ascertain the effect of the vitreous on prognosis. At the initial examination, the prevalence of partial posterior vitreous detachment was significantly higher in eyes with macular edema (27%) than in those without (7%, P = .01). During follow-up, the prevalence of no posterior vitreous detachment initially was significantly higher in eyes that developed macular edema (78%) than in those that did not (22%, P = .01). The prevalence of no or partial posterior vitreous detachment was also significantly higher in eyes with decreased visual acuity of three or more Snellen lines (57% and 38%, respectively) compared with those with visual acuity decreases of two Snellen lines or less (21% and 11%; P = .02 and P = .01, respectively). Eyes with peripheral uveitis with vitreous adhesion may have a less favorable prognosis compared with those with complete posterior vitreous detachment.