Background: This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of anterior uveitis in patients presenting with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and with no other identifiable cause for their uveitis.
Methods: A retrospective study of 121 eyes in 89 patients who presented at Auckland District Health Board with idiopathic acute anterior uveitis and uncontrolled diabetes between September 2009 and January 2022.
Results: The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was known prior to presentation in 80 subjects (89.9%) and was discovered as a result of screening tests in the remainder. Mean HbA1c at presentation was 117.3 mmol/mol. Most uveitis was severe with 3+ (30 eyes, 25.4%) or 4+ cells (30 eyes, 25.4%) in the anterior chamber. Recurrence occurred in 22 eyes (18.2%) and was associated with elevated HbA1c. The visual prognosis was good with median visual acuity at 12 months of 6/7.5.
Conclusion: Poorly controlled diabetes can be associated with acute anterior uveitis.
Keywords: Anterior uveitis; diabetes mellitus; intraocular inflammation; iritis; uveitis.