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1. Requirement

• Specialist in ophthalmology
• Participation in two qualification courses of the DOG-Uveitis section (can also have been acquired previously).

2. Duration

3. Training catalogue

The following skills related to the clinical picture of uveitis should be acquired:

• Knowledge of definition and classification (especially anatomical classification according to SUN, non-infectious versus infectious), differentiation from malignant uveitis masquerade syndromes
• Knowledge of epidemiology
• Knowledge of international and national classification and diagnostic criteria (e.g. SUN) and guidelines (e.g. BVA/DOG/RG)
• Collection of a targeted anamnesis and evaluation of previous findings
• Indication for targeted laboratory diagnostics (basic diagnostics, advanced diagnostics) and imaging (e.g. chest X-ray, CT chest, cMRI) depending on the uveitis entity
• Indication for invasive diagnostics (anterior chamber puncture, vitreous body puncture, diagnostic vitrectomy without/with retinal choroidal biopsy), performance of at least 10 anterior chamber punctures
• Indication for interdisciplinary investigation of causes (e.g. referral to rheumatology, pediatric rheumatology, gastroenterology, neurology)

• Anterior uveitis
  • Knowledge of typical symptoms
  • Knowledge of typical clinical findings: keratoprecipitates (granulomatous or non-granulomatous, localization), Tyndall, anterior chamber cells, anterior and posterior synechiae, iris translucency
  • Knowing and recognizing the most common non-infectious entities in adults and children (e.g. idiopathic, HLA-B27 associated, TINU, JIA-associated)
  • Knowing and recognizing the most common infectious entities (e.g. herpes-associated)
  • Knowing and recognizing rare entities (e.g. Fuchs uveitis, Posner-Schlossman syndrome, UGH syndrome)
• Intermediate uveitis
  • Knowledge of typical symptoms
  • Knowledge of typical clinical findings: vitreous cells, vitreous opacities, snowballs, snowbanks, retinal vascular deposits
  • Knowing and recognizing important entities (idiopathic, pars planitis, MS-associated, toxocariasis)
• Posterior and panuveitis
  • Knowledge of typical symptoms
  • Knowledge of typical clinical findings: lesions of the choroid or retina, e.g. infiltrates, granulomas, scars; retinal vasculitis
  • Knowing and recognizing important non-infectious entities (e.g. idiopathic, white dot syndrome, sarcoidosis-associated, Behcet-associated)
  • Knowing and recognizing important infectious entities (e.g. toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, syphilis)
  • Knowing and recognizing rarer diseases (e.g. birdshot chorioretinopathy, Voght-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome)
• Knowing and recognizing uveitis masquerade syndromes, especially primary vitreoretinal lymphoma, and differentiating uveitis versus endophthalmitis
• Knowledge and recognition of the most important complications (e.g. band keratopathy, cataract, increased intraocular pressure, macular edema, secondary CNV) of uveitis as well as knowledge of their occurrence and frequency in different uveitis entities
• Indication and diagnosis or interpretation of ophthalmological imaging diagnostics: optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein angiography, indocyanine green angiography, B-mode echography
• Knowledge and targeted and guideline-compliant application of therapy procedures for adults and children/adolescents:
  • Indications and contraindications of topical NSAIDs and cycloplegics
  • Indications and contraindications of corticosteroids (e.g. topical, local, systemic) including assessment of benefits and risks and knowledge of adverse effects
  • Indications and contraindications of conventional DMARDs (e.g. ciclosporin, azathioprine, methotrexate, mycophenolic acid, alkylating agents) including assessment of benefits and risks and knowledge of adverse effects
  • Indications and contraindications of biological DMARDs (e.g. TNF antagonists) including assessment of benefits and risks and knowledge of adverse effects
  • Indications and contraindications of topical and systemic antibacterial and antiviral drugs
  • Indications and contraindications of intravitreal administered drugs or drug carriers (e.g. corticosteroids, antivirals, antibiotics, anti-VEGF preparations) including assessment of benefits and risks as well as knowledge of complications of therapy
  • Indication and contraindication of new therapeutic procedures

The following skills related to the clinical picture of episcleritis/scleritis should be acquired:

• Differentiation between episcleritis and scleritis based on history and clinical findings
• Knowing and recognizing the different forms of episcleritis (diffuse, nodular) and scleritis (anterior including diffuse/nodular, necrotizing, scleromalacia, posterior)
• Knowledge of important associated immune-mediated systemic diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis)
• Carrying out meaningful (laboratory) diagnostics and imaging in episcleritis/scleritis
• Indication for interdisciplinary investigation of causes (e.g. referral to rheumatology, gastroenterology)
• Indication and diagnosis or interpretation of ophthalmological imaging diagnostics, in particular B-mode echography and optical coherence tomography
• Knowledge and targeted application of the following therapy methods:
  • Indications and contraindications of topical and systemic NSAIDs and corticosteroids including assessment of benefits and risks and knowledge of adverse effects
  • Indications and contraindications of conventional and biological DMARDs including assessment of benefits and risks and knowledge of side effects
• Indication and contraindication of new therapeutic procedures

4. Requirements for the Fellow

4.1. Diagnostics to be carried out independently by the Fellow

(under supervision of the mentor)

4.2. Conservative treatment to be carried out independently by the Fellow (anamnesis, examination, diagnostics, therapy planning and monitoring)

(under supervision of the mentor)

5. Requirements for the equipment and organisation of the centre

The training should take place at an established uveitis center. A “uveitis center” is defined as a facility that treats at least 500 patients with corresponding diseases per year.

24/7 emergency service is mandatory.

6. Application forms Special Uveitis

Special Uveitis Form Certification Fellow
Special Uveitis Form Certification Mentor
Special Uveitis Form Certification Center