Approach Considerations
The workup should be tailored to the patient according to the history or to the signs and symptoms that suggest a certain etiology.
Laboratory Studies
Laboratory workup may not be necessary in certain situations. [2] In cases of mild, unilateral nongranulomatous uveitis in the setting of trauma, known systemic disease, or a history and physical not suggestive of systemic disease, laboratory studies are unlikely to be helpful.
If the history and the physical examination findings are unremarkable in the presence of bilateral uveitis, granulomatous uveitis, or recurrent uveitis, a nonspecific workup is indicated.
The following tests do not need to be conducted in the emergency department and may be ordered by the consulting ophthalmologist [2] as outpatient workup.
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CBC count
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Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
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Antinuclear antibody (ANA)
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Rapid plasma reagin (RPR)
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Venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL)
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Purified protein derivative (PPD)
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Lyme titer
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HLA-B27
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Urinalysis
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HIV test
Imaging Studies
Chest radiography may be performed to assess for sarcoidosis or tuberculosis as the underlying cause of uveitis. Ocular ultrasound can be performed for nonspecific symptoms, such as floaters, which can be present in intermediate or posterior uveitis. [21]
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Anatomy of the eye.
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Small stellate keratic precipitates with fine filaments in a patient with Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis.
Tables
Type |
Primary Site of Inflammation |
Manifestation |
Anterior uveitis |
Anterior chamber |
Iritis/iridocyclitis/anterior cyclitis |
Intermediate uveitis |
Vitreous |
Vitreitis/hyalitis/pars planitis |
Posterior uveitis |
Choroid |
Choroiditis/chorioretinitis/retinochoroiditis/retinitis/neuroretinitis |
Panuveitis |
Anterior chamber, vitreous, and/or choroid |
All of the above |
