Outcomes from a Multi-disciplinary Uveitis Referral Clinic in Tasmania, Australia and adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Uveitis is one of the most common causes of visual impairment, accounting for up to 25% of visual loss in the developing world and 10% in developed countries. There are marked regional differences within Australia, particularly in rural and Indigenous populations. There is no published data on uveitis in Tasmania. Methods: A 5-year retrospective case series review of medical records of all patients reviewed to the clinic was performed. Results: A total of 95 patients were referred to the clinic. Seventy-six (76) patients (123 eyes) had uveitis and were analysed in detail (see table 1). Nineteen (19) patients had a diagnosis other than uveitis or were on immunosuppressive therapy for another ocular inflammatory disorder (detailed in Table 2). The most common anatomical diagnosis was posterior uveitis (29%), followed by pan-uveitis (20%) and intermediate uveitis (17%). Average follow-up was 36.7 months. Conclusion: The most common anatomical diagnosis was posterior uveitis (29%), followed by pan-uveitis (20%) and intermediate uveitis (17%). Telemedicine is a modality that could have application in management of Uveitis in regional areas.