Epidemiology of uveitis in the Middle East and North Africa

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Numerous studies have examined the pattern of uveitis around the world. Most of them are from western countries, including the USA and countries in Europe, and Eastern Asia. The aim of this presentation is to review the epidemiological characteristics of uveitis in the the Middle East and North Africa. Methods The epidemiologic data on uveitis available from the Middle East and North Africa were reviewed. Results Several recent studies addressed the pattern of uveitis in different countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Tunisia. Uveitis was most often seen in adults with a peak age at presentation in the third and fourth decades. There was no dramatic difference in gender distribution. Anterior uveitis was the most common anatomic form of uveitis, but a high rate of posterior uveitis and panuveitis was reported. A definitive or presumed specific diagnosis could be established for 57‐87% of patients. The most common infectious entities were herpetic anterior uveitis, toxoplasmosis, and tuberculosis (Saudi Arabia). The most common identifiable non‐infectious entities included Behçet’s disease and Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada disease. Conclusion Herpetic infection, toxoplasmosis, and tuberculosis are the most common infectious causes of uveitis in the Middle East and North Africa. Behçet’s diease and Vogt‐Koyanagi‐Harada disease are the most common non‐infectious uveitic entities.HLA‐B27 acute anterior uveitis, ocular sarcoidosis, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis associated uveitis are less common than in western countries.