Uveitis Details

Uveitis is a form of eye inflammation that affects the uvea — the middle layer of tissue in the eye wall. The uvea consists of the iris (the colored part of the eye), the ciliary body (which produces the fluid inside the eye), and the choroid (which contains blood vessels). Uveitis can be acute or chronic and may affect one or both eyes. It is a leading cause of blindness and is particularly dangerous because many of its forms can develop rapidly and cause permanent vision loss. Uveitis can occur at any age, but it most commonly affects people between 20 and 60. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are critical to prevent complications such as glaucoma, cataracts, optic nerve damage, and retinal detachment.

• Eye redness
• Eye pain
• Light sensitivity (photophobia)
• Blurred vision
• Dark, floating spots in your field of vision (floaters)
• Decreased vision
• A white area over the colored part of the eye
• Headaches

• Autoimmune or inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or sarcoidosis
• Infections including toxoplasmosis, herpes, syphilis, tuberculosis, or HIV
• Eye injuries or trauma
• Certain cancers that affect the eye, such as lymphoma
• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Ankylosing spondylitis and other seronegative spondyloarthropathies
• Behçet's disease
• In many cases, the exact cause is unknown (idiopathic uveitis)

• Corticosteroid eye drops to reduce inflammation
• Corticosteroid injections around or into the eye for more severe cases
• Oral corticosteroids for posterior uveitis or when eye drops are insufficient
• Immunosuppressive medications for severe or chronic cases
• Antibiotics or antiviral medications if an infection is the cause
• Mydriatic or cycloplegic eye drops to dilate the pupil and relieve pain
• Treatment of underlying systemic conditions
• Surgery in rare cases to implant a device that releases corticosteroids slowly