Epidemiology of Viral Induced Anterior Uveitis.

Purpose: Viral agents are the most common cause of infectious anterior uveitis worldwide. The purpose of this review is to analyze the frequency, gender and racial differences of viral anterior uveitis (VAU) in various populations. Methods: Systematized literature review of epidemiological reports of VAU cited in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library database published until June 30th, 2020. Results: A total of 12 clinical studies on epidemiology of definite VAU and 36 clinical studies of presumed VAU were identified. Members of Herpesviridae family represent the most common causes of VAU. Other less frequently reported causes, such as rubella and endemic viruses (HTLV-1, Chikungunya, Dengue, Ebola, Zika virus) were also analyzed. Conclusion: HSV, VZV are prevalent worldwide. CMV is more frequent in Asia, and rubella in the West. However, due to globalization and air travel, HTLV-1, Chikungunya, Dengue and Ebola may become important causes of VAU across the world.