Introduction: This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of uveitis presenting de novo in the elderly. The study design was a description of a retrospectively identified case series.
Patients: The records of 193 patients with uveitis referred to Bicêtre Hospital's department of ophthalmology between January 1995 and January 2000 were reviewed. Among these patients, the records of 57 patients with uveitis de novo beginning after age 60 were analyzed.
Results: Idiopathic uveitis accounted for the majority of cases. Whereas herpes viruses were the most frequent specific diagnosis, presumed sarcoidosis and birdshot choroidopathy were also identified as diagnostic entities of uveitis presenting for the first time in the elderly. Only three cases of masquerade syndrome were identified, two cases of intraocular lymphoma, and one metastasis of a visceral melanoma.
Conclusion: Masquerade syndromes are not the leading cause of uveitis in the elderly. Idiopathic uveitis and herpes viruses are the most common etiology found.