A screening test used to detect uveitis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis is which?

• A. Slit-lamp examination
• B. MRI
• C. X-ray
• D. Ultrasound

Answer: (A)

Uveitis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis often affects the front part of the eye and can be asymptomatic in children, so the key is a direct view of the anterior chamber. Slit-lamp examination uses a biomicroscope and bright light to inspect the eye in detail, allowing the clinician to see subtle signs of inflammation such as cells and flare in the anterior chamber, keratic precipitates, and early synechiae. Detecting these changes early is crucial to prevent complications like cataracts or glaucoma and vision loss.

Other imaging tests aren’t used for routine screening of this condition. MRI isn’t practical for detecting subtle anterior chamber inflammation, X-ray targets bones and joints rather than eye structures, and ultrasound doesn’t reliably visualize early anterior uveitis in the same way a slit-lamp exam can. Therefore, slit-lamp examination is the appropriate screening test.