Light microscopic examination of the anterior chamber cells in uveitis

Abstract

Background Uveitis is a serious ocular condition with potentially blinding complications. It can be a sign of a large number of disorders with diverse etiologies, both infectious and noninfectious. Methods A prospective study was done on patients who presented with uveitis and grade 4 anterior chamber cells. A 0.1 ml aqueous sample was withdrawn under aseptic conditions in the operation theatre. All samples were prepared and examined by the same pathologist. Results Light microscopic examination of the aqueous sample from the 16 eyes with a hypopyon revealed predominant neutrophils. On the other hand, light microscopic examination of the aqueous sample from the 22 eyes without a hypopyon revealed predominant lymphocytes. Discussion The convection currents of the aqueous can be regarded as a vertically oriented centrifuge. Some centrifugal force is exerted on the particles suspended in the aqueous humor, and examples of these particles are inflammatory cells in anterior uveitis. Conclusion The predominant type of inflammatory cells is not the same in all cases of anterior uveitis.

Keywords

• anterior chamber cells
• uveitis