Overview

Uveitis refers to Inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. This condition can permanently affect sight or even lead to blindness, if it is not treated.

Causes

Sandwiched between the retina and sclera, the uvea contains many blood vessels that carry blood to the eye. Therefore, inflammation of the uvea can affect vision. In most instances, however, the cause of uveitis is unknown.

The types of uveitis include: Iritis, intermediate uveitis and retinitis or choroiditis.

Iritis
This condition occurs when the uvea near the front of the eye in the iris is inflamed. Iritis can come on suddenly and may last six to eight weeks. Patients will have eyes that are red and painful.

Intermediate uveitis
This condition occurs when the vitreous gel and peripheral retina are the predominant site of inflammation. It can also happen suddenly and may last for several months. Patients will experience floaters and blurred vision.

Retinitis or choroiditis
This condition occurs when the retina or vascular layer next to the retina (choroid) is inflamed. This condition is slower to begin and may last longer. If it affects the retinal vessels, it is called retinal vasculitis.

Symptoms

Some of the symptoms associated with uveitis include:

• Increased reddening of the eye
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Blurring of vision, pain, and floaters in the eye

Consequently some complications that can be the result of uveitis include:

• Glaucoma (increase pressure in the eye)
• Cataract (clouding of the eye’s natural lens)
• Neovascularisation (growth of new, abnormal blood vessels)

Risk Factors

Some of the conditions that can lead to uveitis are:

• Virus, such as shingles, mumps or herpes
• Fungus, such as histoplasmosis
• Parasite, such as toxoplasmosis
• Related disease in other parts of the body, such as arthritis
• Result of injury to the eye
• Bacteria, such as syphilis

Prevention

Currently, there exist no proven natural or clinically-approved methods for preventing this condition.

When To Seek Help

If you experience redness or pain in your eye, and it does not clear up quickly, you should see an ophthalmologist.

Treatment Options

For mild uveitis, the ophthalmologist may prescribe eye drops, especially steroids and pupil dilators, to reduce the inflammation and pain.

To treat more severe inflammation, oral medication or injections may be given as well. For some patients, they may also need conventional surgery or laser surgery.