Polymerase chain reaction in uveitis

Abstract

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has opened new vistas in the diagnosis of various diseases. It involves enzymatic amplification of nucleic acid sequences within a short period. Polymerase chain reaction has greater role in diagnostic pathology, especially in microbiology, genetics, and oncology. Identification of infectious microorganisms, ruling out infection as the cause in the eyes of patients with uveitis to ensure prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapy in ophthalmology is of paramount importance. Infectious uveitis in India needs early diagnosis of the responsible pathogen and administration of appropriate treatment can help reduce visual impairment. Polymerase chain reaction analysis is a highly sensitive and specific method to detect microbial DNA in ocular samples from immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients with uveitis. In this review article we explore the role of PCR in uveitis citing appropriate examples.