Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Uveitis in a Paediatric Sydney Population

Katie Geering, BAppSc(Orth)
Stephanie Crofts, BAppSc(Orth)Hons
Orthoptic Department, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an inflammatory condition that affects 1 in 1,000 children in Australia. JIA can be defined by inflammation in one or more joints for a period of at least six weeks, with an onset younger than 16 years of age. JIA is sub-classified into different types depending on the number of joints affected, the rheumatoid factor and whether other systemic conditions are present.
JIA can be associated with uveitis, a serious and chronic ocular complication which is often difficult to manage and can result in visual loss. The risk of development of uveitis differs dependent on the type of JIA present. An ophthalmology assessment forms a vital part of the assessment for children with JIA.

The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of visual complications associated with children who have a diagnosis of JIA. A retrospective review of children presenting to the Eye Clinic at The Children’s Hospital Westmead with JIA over a twelve-month period between 2009 and 2010 was performed. This paper emphasises the need for ophthalmology review in this cohort of children.