Age-Related Differences in the Etiology and Clinical Characteristics of Uveitis in Japan: A Retrospective Comparative Study

PURPOSE: To investigate age-related differences in the clinical characteristics and etiologic distribution of uveitis. METHODS: = 470). Demographic variables, laterality, anatomic classification, pathological classification, and etiologic diagnoses were compared between age groups. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and age-related associations were visualized using forest plots. RESULTS: = 0.010). Among infectious etiologies, herpetic anterior uveitis, endophthalmitis, cytomegalovirus retinitis, and infectious uveitis of unknown cause were significantly associated with older age. Subtype analyses revealed that posterior and necrotizing scleritis occurred exclusively in older patients, and that varicella-zoster virus anterior uveitis was significantly associated with older age. CONCLUSIONS: Uveitis exhibits a marked age-dependent shift in etiology, from immune-mediated, noninfectious diseases in younger patients to infectious and neoplastic conditions in older patients. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating age into the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to uveitis.