Of these many subsets, the most common presentation for uveitis is undoubtedly acute anterior uveitis or AAU. Anterior means that the front portion of the uvea, the iris and ciliary body, are primarily affected by the inflammation.

One particularly complex condition is anterior uveitis. Mastering the diagnosis and management of this disease can lead to better visual outcomes and fewer complications for patients. In order to do this, understanding the definition, pathology, and management of anterior uveitis is critical.

Anterior uveitis presents a diagnostic challenge due to its wide array of etiologies and clinical manifestations. This narrative review aims to equip general ophthalmologists with a comprehensive understanding of anterior uveitis epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

The type of uveitis you have depends on which part or parts of the eye are inflamed: Anterior uveitis affects the inside of the front of your eye (between the cornea and the iris) and the ciliary body. It is also called iritis and is the most common type of uveitis.

Patients with unilateral anterior uveitis have ocular ache in the affected eye if light is shined in the unaffected eye (true photophobia), which is uncommon in conjunctivitis. Diagnosis of anterior uveitis is by recognizing cells and flare in the anterior chamber.