ANTERIOR UVEITIS


The uveal tract is composed of the anterior (iris & ciliary body) and posterior (choroidal) tissues. These tissues contain components of the “blood-ocular barrier” which regulates the passage of protein into the aqueous humor. The term uveitis describes inflammation of any of these tissues and is typically associated with variable breakdown of the blood-ocular barrier. Inflammation of the anterior uveal tissues, may occur with or without significant clinical involvement of posterior uveal tissue.Potential etiologies include hereditary factors, trauma, lens-associated inflammation systemic disease, exposure to infectious organisms and/or the presence of (local or systemic) neoplasia. Infectious etiologies which may be associated with the development of anterior uveitis in dogs include; viral (canine adenovirus-1 & canine parvovirus), protozoal (Toxoplasma gondii), bacterial (notably Erlichia canis, Rickettsia rickettsia, Leptospira spp & Borellia spp) and fungal (cocciodiomycosis, aspergiullus, blastomyces & histoplasmosis) organisms. Frustratingly, the precise etiology of uveitis remains unclear in a significant proportion of cases. Additionally, clinical uveitis may be chronic and/or recurrent in its behavior. Treatment encompasses addressing underlying systemic, infectious or neoplastic disease. Additionally, topical and/or systemic anti-inflammatory therapy (non-steriodal or steroidal) is typically warranted. Long-term treatment may be indicated in order to minimize the risk of secondary glaucoma.