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Recent studies on the clinical importance of tuberculin skin tests (TST), interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs), chest computed tomography (CT) and polymerase chain reaction have provided a new approach to diagnosing ocular tuberculosis (TBC). However, both TST and IGRAs cannot distinguish between latent TBC infection and active disease. Another corroborative test in the diagnosis of intraocular TBC is the evaluation of the lungs by either chest radiography or CT. Direct evidence for the diagnosis can be obtained by examination of smears and staining for acid-fast organisms, cultures of intraocular tissue/fluid for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and nucleic acid amplification analysis. In recent years, guidelines have been suggested for the diagnosis of intraocular TBC. The current treatment of intraocular TBC consists of use of four drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide) taken for a long period of time (total 9-15 months). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization has declared tuberculosis (TB) to be a global emergency, as it remains the most common single cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. TB is caused by the acid-fast bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis and primarily affects the lungs [pulmonary TB (PTB)]. It can also affect any other part of the body [extrapulmonary TB (EPTB)]. It is estimated that 1.4% of patients with PTB will eventually develop ocular disease; however, in the majority of cases of ocular TB, PTB may not be documented. Ocular TB infection is usually a result of hematogenous spread during PTB or EPTB. Symptomatic disease most commonly develops after reactivation of dormant foci in the ocular tissue rather than being the manifestation of the initial infection. Immune-mediated ocular TB can occur due tohypersensitivity to M. tuberculosis antigens from a distant focus (such as lungs), despite the absence of the bacterium in the eye. The most common clinical presentation of intraocular inflammation (uveitis) due to TB appears to be posterior uveitis, followed by anterior uveitis, panuveitis and intermediate uveitis. The absenceof uniform diagnostic criteria for intraocular TB has led to confusion regarding its diagnosis and management. Recent studies on the clinical importance of purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test, interferon-gamma release assays, chest computed tomography and polymerase chain reaction have provided a new approach to diagnosing ocular TB. This review series focuses on the clinical features, diagnostic techniques, diagnostic criteria, and treatment modalities in the light of recent literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]