Use of diagnostic vitrectomy in eyes with uveitis of unknown etiology

Abstract

Objective To analyze the results of diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in patients with uveitis of unknown cause. Methods This is a retrospective case series study. Sixty-five patients (67 eyes) with uveitis of unknown cause were enrolled in this study. There were 31 males (32 eyes) and 34 females (35 eyes). The ages were from 6 to 84 years, with the mean age of (55.00±18.56) years. All eyes were received PPV. Examination of vitreous samples consisted of microbial stains and culture, microbial DNA and antibody detection, cytokine measurement, cytology, flow cytometry and gene rearrangement detection. Results Vitreous analysis was positive in 40 of 67 eyes (59.7%). Positive results indicated bacterial endophthalmitis in 20 of 40 eyes (50.0%), lymphoma in 11 eyes (27.5%), viral IgM and IgG increased significantly in 3 eyes (7.5%), fungal endophthalmitis in 3 eyes (7.5%), IgG of toxocara increased significantly in 2 eyes (5.0%), IgG of toxoplasma Gondii increased significantly in 1 eye (2.5%). Conclusion The diagnostic yield of vitreous samples in uveitis eyes of unknown cause is 59.7%. Key words: Uveitis/diagnosis; Endophthalmitis/diagnosis; Lymphoma/diagnosis; Vitrectomy