Uveitis & Rheumatology: A Crossroads
Tips to identify ocular signs and symptoms and diagnostic and management techniques for a variety of systemic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders will be discussed in this review.
In Colorado Retina Associates October 2021 edition of Virtual Visionaries, CRA's Uveitis Specialist, Dr. Mark Dacey and Colorado Center for Arthritis & Osteoporosis Rheumatologist, Dr. Joseph Lutt will discuss the inter-disciplinary partnership between their sub-specialities.
The eye is an important indicator of rheumatologic disease. Uveitis, i.e. intraocular inflammation, is a sight-threatening condition that begs for collaboration between ophthalmologists and rheumatologists. As these conditions often involve complicated multi-organ systemic disease, close co-management is imperative in the determination of treatment and follow-up needs. Uveitis occurs in approximately 2–5% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, 6–9% of patients with psoriatic arthritis, 25% of patients with reactive arthritis, and as high as 33% in patients with ankylosing spondylitis, making the joint effort between the two sub-specialties a necessity. Often these systemic diseases go undiagnosed, heightening the risk of serious complications, impaired vision, and blindness when treatment isn’t prompt. Familiarity with and recognition of these uveitic presentations are important in the management of both the systemic and ocular manifestations of the disease. Tips to identify ocular signs and symptoms and diagnostic and management techniques for a variety of systemic inflammatory and autoimmune disorders will be discussed in this review.
