Clinical profile of isolated viral anterior uveitis in a South Indian patient population.

AIM: To analyze the clinic profile of polymerase chain reaction proven viral anterior uveitis in a south Indian patient population. MATERIALS & METHODS: Retrospective, nonrandomized study between January 2009 and July 2012. RESULTS: Out of the 36 patients with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive viral anterior uveitis, 24 patients had varicella zoster virus (VZV) anterior uveitis, 7 patients had HSV anterior uveitis, 3 patients had cytomegalovirus (CMV) anterior uveitis, and 2 patients had chikungunya virus related anterior uveitis. Corneal involvement was seen in 21 cases (58.33%). An altered iris pattern was seen in 14 cases (38.89%). Increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) at the time of inflammation was seen in 10 cases (27.78%). Reactivations were seen in 22 cases (61.11%). A comparison of herpes simplex virus (HSV)- and VZV-related anterior uveitis did not reveal any significant factors except for a previous history of herpes zoster in VZV-associated uveitis. CONCLUSION: We see isolated viral anterior uveitis related to HSV, VZV, CMV, and chikungunya viruses in our patient population. Corneal involvement, pigmented keratic precipitates, an abnormal iris pattern, increase in IOP, and reactivations are seen as a spectrum of viral anterior uveitis in our patient population as well.