Anterior uveitis in the dog and cat, part II

摘要

In order to successfully manage anterior uveitis, every effort must be made to determine the underlying cause of the inflammatory disease. Uveitis may result from primary disorders confined to the eye or may secondarily accompany systemic abnormalities. Primary ocular disorders causing uveitis include trauma, infection, neoplasia, or an autoimmune phenomenon triggered by leakage of lens protein into the anterior chamber. Secondary ocular disorders are often bilateral due to their association with systemic disease. Metabolic disorders may produce alterations in vascular permeability, with secondary ocular effects such a hyphema or flare. Neoplasia and immune-mediated disorders frequently utilize the uvea's vascularity to advantage. Infectious diseases are abundant and include viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic, protozoal and rickettsial diseases. Carefully assess all major organ systems, especially when a patient presents with bilateral uveitis. Idiopathic disease is a "diagnosis" of exclusion.