title: Epidemiology of uveitis in children over a 10-year period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study is to investigate the demographics, aetiologies, complications, treatments and visual outcomes in paediatric uveitis patients in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chart review of all patients diagnosed with uveitis before the age of 16 years, presenting to two tertiary referral centres (uveitis and paediatric rheumatology clinics) in Lausanne, Switzerland, between 2000 and 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-nine children (37 girls) were identified, 62 living in Switzerland, 15 in Europe and 2 in North Africa. Median age at first symptoms was 9.0 years (range 1.5-15.8 years), with a median follow-up time of 1.8 years (0-8 years). Both eyes were involved in 51 patients (64.6%). The course was acute in 30.4%, chronic in 60.8% and recurrent in 8.9%. Anterior uveitis occurred in 39.2%, intermediate in 32.9%, posterior in 22.8% and panuveitis in 5.1%. The three main diagnoses were idiopathic uveitis (34.2%), JIA-related uveitis (22.8%) and toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (15.2%). During the last follow-up visit, the visual acuity (VA) was ≥8/10 in 72% of all eyes with a measurable VA. Cataract (8%), ocular hypertension/glaucoma (8%) and macular fibrosis (4%) were the three most common severe complications. Systemic steroids were given to 56% and biological agents to 24% of patients with inflammatory uveitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uveitis in children can be a devastating disease. A strict classification of aetiologies and a tight collaboration between paediatric rheumatologists and ophthalmologists are important to ensure early control of ocular inflammation and improve long-term visual prognosis.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland. lydiaclarke87@gmail.com
authors: Lydia A L
authors: LA
authors: Clarke
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Guex-Crosier
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Hofer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002386:Cataract / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014605:Uveitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D013256:Steroids