Roy Schwartz and Zohar Habot-Wilner

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/60484

#### **Abstract**

Determining the cause of intraocular inflammation has important implications both for the treatment and prognosis of uveitic diseases. This chapter describes ocular di‐ agnostic procedures and their indications while mainly focusing on diagnostic vi‐ trectomy. The chapter discusses the history of elective diagnostic procedures; main indications for invasive procedures in the diagnosis of uveitic disease; surgical prin‐ ciples and techniques for each of the diagnostic procedures; descriptions of the vari‐ ous laboratory techniques being used; and selected examples of conditions that may require the use of such techniques.

**Keywords:** Uveitis, diagnostic vitrectomy, tap

### **1. Introduction**

The term uveitis refers to a large and varied group of disease entities, each with its own set of manifestations. While some may fit textbook characteristics, others may present in a way that baffles us as clinicians and leaves us with a wide differential diagnosis. Determining the cause of intraocular inflammation has important implications both for treatment and for prognosis of the disease. That is where the field of invasive diagnostic procedures comes into place. Through the use of different laboratory techniques, this diagnostic modality adds to the battery of other methods available to the clinician in order to reach the final diagnosis and provide proper management.

This chapter covers ocular diagnostic procedures, while focusing mainly on diagnostic vitrectomy.

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