[Evaluation of the problems in the treatment of uveitis].

Objective: To address the problems present in the treatment of uveitis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was made on 154 patients (268 eyes) with different entities of uveitis, coming from all over China and referring to Zhongshan ophthalmic center from April to October of 2000. The data of these patients, especially with respect to the usage of corticosteroids and antibiotics in the referred hospitals, were analyzed.

Results: Corticosteroids drops, subconjunctival or retrobulbar injection and systemic corticosteroids were respectively used in 90.3% and 84.0% of these eyes, and 92.9% of these cases. Intravenous injection of corticosteroids was rather popular, accounting for 85.3% of the cases who were treated with systemic corticosteroids. Improperly aggressive treatment with corticosteroids or undue application of their eye drops was equally found in patients from county-, city- and province-level hospitals, especially in Behcet's disease, anterior uveitis and Fuchs heterochromic uveitis. Antibiotics drops, subconjunctival injection and systemic administration of antibiotics were respectively used in 97.0% and 71.6% of these eyes and 83.8% of these patients. Immunosuppressive drugs, other than the corticosteroids, were used in 6 patients only.

Conclusions: Corticosteroids should be used in proper methods, dosage and duration based on the entities and severity of uveitis. It is not necessary to treat noninfectious uveitis with antibiotics.