Uveitis: a global perspective

Purpose: To study the patterns of uveitis in various geographic regions. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using the MEDLINE database, from 1966 to present. Studies that satisfied our described selection criteria were analyzed to provide a global perspective on uveitis. Results: Twenty-two studies, which were the best available representatives of Australia, North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, were included in the final analysis. The distribution of uveitis cases according to the anatomical site of inflammation in the various regions, and the causes and clinical disease associations of anterior, intermediate, posterior, and pan-uveitis were studied for each of the regions and a comparative analysis was performed. Conclusions: There are similarities and distinct differences in the patterns of uveitis in the various geographic regions. Such patterns of uveitis are influenced by combinations of geographical, environmental, and genetic factors.