Ocular hypertension and uveitis. A survey of 374 cases of uveitis

Objectives: To study the frequency of ocular hypertension in uveitis and it s correlations with the characteristics of uveitis. To analyze the mechanis ms of hypertension and the influence of different etiologies. To evaluate t he prognosis of increased intraocular pressure secondary to uveitis. Material and Methods : Retrospective, single-center, mono-observer study of 374 consecutive cases of uveitis. Results : Ocular hypertension was observed in 45 of 374 cases(12 %). Hypert ension was observed only in 2 cases without any sign of anterior chamber in flammation. Increased intraocular pressure was more frequently observed in granulomatous uveitis [15 of 33 cases (45.4 %)] than in non granulomatous u veitis [30 of 341 cases (8.9 %)] (p < 0.001). There were 2 cases of Posner- Schlossman syndrome. Herpetic uveitis was otherwise the most frequent etiol ogy of uveitis associated with secondary ocular hypertension [8 of 22 cases (36.3 %)]. The ocular hypertension was most often in phase with intraocula r inflammation [17 of 45 cases(37.8 %)], suggesting a mechanism of trabecul ar obstruction. Corticosteroid-induced hypertension was only noted in 2 cas es. In 12 cases the mechanisms of ocular hypertension could not be determin ed. Glaucomatous optic neuropathy was only observed in 3 patients. Filterin g surgery was performed in 4 cases. Conclusions : Among uveitis cases, findings linked to a higher frequency of ocular hypertension were identified. There was a discrepancy between the l ow frequency of corticosteroid induced hypertension and the broad use of to pical corticosteroids in cases of uveitis. The analysis of the mechanisms i nvolved is necessary for an adequate treatment. The prognosis of hypertensi ve uveitis was more frequently linked to the consequences of intraocular in flammation than to hypertension.