Pattern of uveitis in a referral ophthalmology center in Northeastern Thailand

Abstract

Purpose: To report the characteristics and epidemiology of uveitis in a university-based referral center in northeastern Thailand and review the uveitis patterns present in various regions worldwide. Methods: A retrospective review of all medical records for new patients visiting the uveitis clinic at Srinagarind hospital, Khon Kaen University, between August 2016 and June 2021, was conducted. Results: A total of 522 uveitis patients were included in this study. Disease etiologies were categorized as non-infectious 35.8% (187/522), infectious 32.8% (171/522), and undetermined cause 31.4% (164/522). Specific diagnoses were established in 68.6% of cases. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) (14.2%) was identified as the most common specific diagnosis, and tuberculosis (6.7%) ranked highest among infectious causes. Conclusions: Although non-infectious uveitis is observed predominantly in this region, the proportion of infectious uveitis is relatively more common than in developed countries. We have found no cause for one-third of our patients despite the utilization of PCR and serology for diagnostic purposes.