SCREENING FOR UVEITIS IN JUVENILE RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Background: Uveitis associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA ) is an important cause of visual impairment in children. Because uvei tis is often asymptomatic in this age group, frequent ophthalmologic s creening examinations are recommended. Recent reports have found a dec rease in the prevalence and severity of uveitis in JRA when compared t o older data. Methods: The charts of 52 consecutive patients with JRA seen over a 30-month period were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Ey e examination identified uveitis in five (12%) patients. All patients with uveitis were female, ANA positive, and had pauciarticular-onset a rthritis. Three patients had the onset of uveitis before the age of 2. All patients have maintained good visual acuity and have not develope d serious sight-threatening ocular complications over the follow-up pe riod. Conclusions: Although the prevalence and severity of JRA-associa ted uveitis may be decreasing, we strongly recommend continued strict adherence to the current screening guidelines.