Complications of Uveitis: The Northern California Epidemiology of Uveitis Study

Purpose: To describe the uveitis complications in a large, community-based cohort. Methods: Retrospective, community-based, cross-sectional cohort study analyzing complications and associations with complications. Results: A total of 844 cases of uveitis were found; 342 were new-onset, and 462 were prior-onset. In total, 29.5% of patients were affected by one or more complications associated with age, gender, course, and anatomic location of uveitis. Visual loss was experienced by 19.1% of patients and was associated with age, course of disease, and anatomic location of uveitis. Of the patients who developed glaucoma or elevated intraocular pressure over 30 mmHg, 3.9% (n = 33) were related solely to uveitis; 5.2% (n = 44) had an unclear or combined mechanism; and 1.8% (n = 15) were related solely to steroid response. Cystoid macular edema was associated with course of disease and anatomic location of uveitis. Conclusions: Complications affect a significant portion of uveitis patients, and are often associated with demographic and clinical factors.