title: Etiology and Clinical Features of Ocular Inflammatory Diseases in a Tertiary Center in Lebanon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the pattern of uveitis in patients presenting to the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) uveitis service in Lebanon.
  
  
  METHODS
  The charts of patients seen between January 2009 and September 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Data pertaining to patient demographics, eye examination on presentation, workup, and final diagnoses were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total number of charts reviewed was 209. The most common noninfectious etiologies were Behçet disease, sarcoidosis, and HLA-B27-associated uveitis, while toxoplasmosis, herpes, and tuberculosis were the most common infectious etiologies. The mean duration of the disease before presentation to our center was 38 ± 56 months (range 0-284 months), with cataract formation in 90/234 (38%) and visual impairment in 134/291 (46%) eyes on presentation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case series reveals a significant delay in referring uveitis cases to a specialized center, which may contribute to the high percentage of patients presenting with ocular complications.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Marwan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdulaal
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Rafic
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Antonios
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barikian
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jaroudi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , American University of Beirut , Beirut , Lebanon.
authors.forename: Rola N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Hamam
keywords: Lebanon; ocular infection; ocular inflammation; uveitis; uveitis etiology