Anterior chamber paracentesis to improve diagnosis and treatment of infectious uveitis in South Africa

Abstract

Infectious uveitis is a significant cause of blindness in South Africa, especially among HIV-infected individuals. The visual outcome of uveitis depends on early clinical and laboratory diagnosis to guide therapeutic intervention. Analyses of aqueous humor obtained by anterior chamber paracentesis direct the differential diagnosis in infectious uveitis. However, although safe and potentially cost-effective, diagnostic anterior chamber paracentesis is not common practice in ophthalmic care across Africa. We draw attention to this important procedure, which could improve the diagnosis and prognosis of infectious uveitis.