Eye involvement in the spondyloarthropathies

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 1998 Nov;24(4):771-84, ix. doi: 10.1016/s0889-857x(05)70041-7.

Abstract

Eye inflammation, especially uveitis, is a prominent feature of spondyloarthropathies. Uveitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis and Reiter's syndrome usually is a unilateral acute anterior uveitis with a high tendency to recur sometimes in the contralateral eye. Uveitis associated with undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis may be less characteristic in its presentation, with a higher tendency to posterior pole involvement, bilaterality, and chronicity. Although acute anterior uveitis is grouped into the spectrum of human leukocyte antigen B27-related disease, other genetic and environmental factors including infections by gram-negative bacteria and gut inflammation can play a role in its pathogenesis. The prognosis of uveitis usually is excellent with topical treatment, and only those with posterior pole involvement or a high tendency to recur or to chronicity might benefit from immunosuppressive therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Psoriatic / epidemiology
  • Arthritis, Reactive / epidemiology
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / epidemiology*
  • Uveitis / epidemiology*