Juvenile idiopathic arthritis associated uveitis in adults: a case series.

PURPOSE: To report a series of adults with uveitis following juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and uveitis as children.

METHODS

The clinical features, treatment, complications, and visual outcome were ascertained for 17 patients at a single centre.

RESULTS

Seventeen adults with previously diagnosed JIA and ongoing uveitis (30 eyes) were identified. All required at least topical steroids. The complication rate was high (15 patients, 23 eyes), most frequently cataract (57%), glaucoma (33%), and posterior synechiae (30%). The rate of visual acuity loss to 6/12 threshold (6/12 or worse) for patients with uveitis < 15 years (Group A) was 13.3%, (and 6.7% to 6/60 threshold) and for patients with uveitis >15 years (Group B) was 26.7% (and 20% to 6/60 threshold). Overall, the rate of visual acuity loss to 6/12 threshold was 20% (6 eyes) and to 6/60 threshold, 13.3% (4 eyes).

CONCLUSIONS

JIA may be associated with ongoing uveitis and complications in adulthood.