AIM: To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment of uveitis associated with ankylosing spondylitis(AS).

METHODS: Totally 40 uveitis associated with AS patients(46 eyes)were collected from August 2012 to August 2015 in our department. Data of these patients concerning clinical characteristics, laboratory examinations and treatment were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS: Of the 40 patients, 28 were males(32 eyes)while the remaining 12 were females(14 eyes). The mean age of the patients at onset of AS was 29.68±7.83 years old, while the average duration was 6.95±6.12a. The history of uveitis of these AS patients was 3d to 6a, with a mean duration of 28±15d. All patients showed typical sacroiliitis with X-ray or CT examination; 37 patients(93%)were HLA-B27 positive; Erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR)of 27 patients(68%)increased while 18 patients(45%)showed increased C-reactive protein(CRP). Uveitis of all patients was either cured or under good control after treatment with corticosteroids and cycloplegic eye drops.

CONCLUSION: Young males suffer more than female with uveitis associated with AS, which is often characterized by unilateral onset and recurrent relapse. Clinical doctors should pay more concerns on the uveitis patients the onset of AS. Early and enough treatment were needed for these patients.