What can physicians learn from the blogs of patients with uveitis?
OBJECTIVE
To identify the sources of anxiety from patient blogs.


METHODS
Blogs were identified using www.blogsearch.google.com. and the following noted: age, sex, location, type of uveitis, symptoms, and the sources of anxiety.


RESULTS
103 blogs were identified. Anterior uveitis was the most common type followed by multifocal choroiditis and sympathetic ophthalmia. Sources of anxiety include acute pain, redness, photophobia and visual loss, initial misdiagnosis and monetary expenses.


CONCLUSIONS
Physicians should focus on pain relief and counsel on visual loss including its impact on career or livelihood needs. Patients seen in emergency situations need early referral.
Mehta
Salil A
SA
Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Ophthalmology, Mumbai, India. doc@retinaconsultant.com
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education*; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D014605:Uveitis / Q000523:psychology*