SYSTEMIC-DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH INTERMEDIATE UVEITIS

BACKGROUND Intermediate uveitis is characterized by vitreal inflammati on with associated inflammation of the vitreous base and peripheral an terior retina and choroid. It may be found as an isolated and idiopath ic condition or in association with systemic disorders such as multipl e sclerosis and sarcoidosis. OBJECTIVE To identify the clinical featur es of intermediate uveitis and assess its association with systemic di seases. METHODS Retrospective study of 83 patients presenting with int ermediate uveitis between 1970 and 1991. RESULTS Evidence of systemic disorders was found in 26 of 83 patients (31.3%). Of these 26 patients , 10 had presumed sarcoidosis, 6 had multiple sclerosis, 2 had isolate d optic neuritis, 2 had inflammatory bowel disease, 4 had isolated thy roid abnormalities, and 2 had histories suggestive of Epstein-Barr vir us infection. Associated ocular findings included cystoid macular edem a, peripheral retinal perivascular sheathing, cataracts, posterior vit reous detachment, fine keratic precipitates, preretinal macular fibros is, retinal tears, retinal detachment, and optic disc edema. CONCLUSIO NS Patients with intermediate uveitis may have associated systemic dis eases and should have careful follow-up with regular systemic evaluati on.