**Question:** A 25 year - old female gives a history of redness, pain and mild diminution of vision in one eye for past 3 days. There is also a history of low backache for the past one year. On examination there is circumcorneal congestion, cornea is clear except for a few fine keratic precipitates on the corneal endothelium, there are 2+ cells in the anterior chamber, anterior chamber depth being normal and the intraocular pressure is within normal limits. The patient is most likely suffering from :

A) Corneal infection (herpetic keratitis)
B) Glaucoma
C) Uveitis
D) Trauma

**Correct Answer:** C) Uveitis

**Core Concept:**
Uveitis is an inflammation of the uveal tract of the eye, which comprises the middle layer of the eye known as the uvea, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. The inflammation can be caused by a variety of pathogens, autoimmune conditions, or other systemic diseases.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
In this case, the patient presents with typical symptoms and signs of uveitis. The key features include:
1. Redness (ocular inflammation)
2. Pain (increased sensitivity to light and touch)
3. Diminished vision (due to inflammation affecting the lens and retina)
4. Fine keratic precipitates on the corneal endothelium (characteristic finding in uveitis)
5. Anterior chamber cells (cellular infiltration in the anterior chamber)
6. Normal anterior chamber depth (no corneal edema)
7. Intraocular pressure within normal limits (no evidence of increased eye pressure from inflammation)

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A) Corneal infection (herpetic keratitis)
- The patient's symptoms, signs, and normal intraocular pressure argue against a corneal infection (herpetic keratitis)

B) Glaucoma
- The patient's normal intraocular pressure rules out glaucoma, which is characterized by elevated eye pressure due to impaired outflow of aqueous humor

D) Trauma
- The absence of corneal abrasions or other signs of ocular trauma rules out this option

**Clinical Pearls:**
1. Uveitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including infectious (bacterial, viral, fungal), autoimmune, and inflammatory conditions.
2. Ocular inflammation can be triggered by systemic diseases (e.g., Behçet's disease, sarcoidosis, or rheumatoid arthritis) or by ocular conditions (e.g., posterior uveitis, iridocyclitis).
3. The presence of intraocular cells, anterior chamber reaction, and keratic precipitates on the corneal endothelium are important features of uveitis.
4. The absence of corneal edema and elevated intraocular pressure makes herpetic keratitis, glaucoma, and trauma less likely diagnoses.

**Explanation