ABSTRACT
There are a variety of possible presentations of uveitis of the posterior segment which can be diagnosed on clinical features or systemic investigations. Vitreous opacity occurs from white cells, cellular deposits, proteinaceous infiltration and degeneration of the gel structure. The inflammatory process can cause shrinkage of the gel, which, in the presence of vitreoretinal adhesion, will produce secondary tractional retinal detachment (TRD) or rhegmatogenous retinal detachments (RRDs) if a tear is created. Vitrectomy may restore vision in patients with vitreous opacification from panuveitis. Visual recovery may not be complete because of the presence of optic atrophy, retinal atrophy, retinal ischaemia or cystoid macular oedema (CMO). The removal of the gel may reduce the ability of the eye to hold inflammatory mediators and, thereby, reduce the recurrence of inflammation in the long term. Low intraocular pressure occurs because the uveitic process damages the ciliary body or because the traction from epiretinal membranes (ERM) separates the ciliary processes from the choroid.
