Which of the following is a direct sign of anterior chamber inflammation in acute uveitis?

• A. Aqueous flare, fibrin, hypopyon, hyphema
• B. Retinal detachment
• C. Corneal thinning
• D. Optic disc edema

Answer: (A)

In acute uveitis, anterior chamber inflammation shows direct signs from the breakdown of the blood–aqueous barrier and inflammatory exudate within the front of the eye. Aqueous flare reflects protein-rich fluid in the chamber, giving a hazy/ smokey appearance under the slit lamp. Fibrin can form strands or membranes in the anterior chamber due to active inflammation. A hypopyon is the visible layering of white blood cells in the lower part of the chamber, and a hyphema is blood in the anterior chamber from fragile iris vessels. Together, these findings are classic indicators of active anterior segment inflammation.

The other options point to pathology outside the anterior chamber: retinal detachment involves the retina, not the front of the eye; corneal thinning is a corneal issue; optic disc edema relates to the optic nerve. While important in ocular disease, they do not represent direct signs of anterior chamber inflammation.