Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Open Access

Abstract

An Update on Tubercular Uveitis

Manisha Agarwal and Ankita Shrivastav

Tuberculosis (TB) is an important cause of infectious uveitis causing significant morbidity and mortality especially in endemic countries. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) may infect any tissue or organ in the body, lungs being the most commonly affected. Ocular TB occurs due to hematogenous dissemination of MTb or due to a hypersensitivity reaction to the bacteria. It may lead to a very severe inflammation and destruction of ocular tissues leading to an irreversible loss of vision. Infection of the eye by MTb most commonly involves the uveal tissue causing anterior, intermediate, and posterior or panuveitis. Awareness of the varied clinical manifestations is important to suspect the ocular TB which may often be difficult to confirm by diagnostic tests available. A timely diagnosis and management may help in preventing severe loss of vision and the eye.