Chronic uveitis in Kinshasa (D R Congo).

PURPOSE: To determine frequencies of different types of chronic uveitis and the possible associated conditions.

METHODS: In the retrospective study a review is made of all 336 consecutive patients with chronic uveitis seen during 1983 through 1993. All patients were evaluated ophthalmologically and most of them medically. Traumatic uveitis was excluded from this study.

RESULTS: There were 171 (51%) males and 165 (49%) females. Of 336 patients with chronic uveitis, 194 (58%) had anterior uveitis, 76 (23%) had isolated posterior uveitis, 38 (11%) had panuveitis and 28 (8%) intermediate uveitis. Associated conditions were found in 151 (46%) of 336 patients. AIDS, Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus, toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis and onchocerciasis were the most common associated disease respectively in 12.5%, 6.4%, 6%, 6%, 6% and 4% of cases.

CONCLUSION: The findings of this study were different from those of other studies published in Europe and the United States.