Which of the following is the most common cause of anterior uveitis in India?

Explanation

## Epidemiology of Anterior Uveitis in India **Key Point:** Idiopathic anterior uveitis remains the most common cause of anterior uveitis globally, including in India, accounting for approximately 40–50% of cases. ### Geographic and Demographic Considerations While tuberculosis and syphilis are important causes of uveitis in India due to high prevalence of these infections, when considering anterior uveitis specifically: - **Idiopathic:** 40–50% of anterior uveitis cases - **Tuberculosis:** 5–15% of uveitis cases (more common in posterior uveitis) - **Syphilis:** 2–5% of uveitis cases - **Behçet's disease:** Rare in India; more common in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and East Asian populations ### High-Yield Classification Table | Cause | Frequency in Anterior Uveitis | Geographic Predilection | |-------|-------------------------------|------------------------| | Idiopathic | 40–50% | Worldwide | | HLA-B27 associated (AS, ReA, IBD) | 20–30% | Worldwide | | Tuberculosis | 5–15% | India, endemic areas | | Syphilis | 2–5% | India, endemic areas | | Behçet's disease | <1% | Mediterranean, Middle East, East Asia | | Herpes simplex/zoster | 5–10% | Worldwide | **Clinical Pearl:** In India, while TB and syphilis must be screened for in every uveitis patient due to public health significance, idiopathic anterior uveitis is still statistically the most common diagnosis after exclusion of infectious and systemic causes. **Mnemonic — Common Causes of Anterior Uveitis (HABIT):** HLA-B27 associated, Autoimmune, Behçet's, Idiopathic, Tuberculosis/Trauma. [cite:Parson's Diseases of the Eye 23e Ch 9]