Uveitis

What is uveitis?

Uveitis is basically inflammation inside your eye. This usually happens when your immune system is fighting off an infection. Sometimes, it means your immune system is tackling an eye infection, but it can also occur when it mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in your eye. Uveitis can cause a range of problems, like discomfort, redness, and even vision issues.

It mainly affects the uvea, which is a key part of your eye, but it can also impact other areas. While some cases of uveitis clear up quickly, it can come back, and in some situations, it might turn into a chronic condition. It can affect one eye or both.

If you don’t get it treated, uveitis can lead to vision loss, so it’s really important to see your eye care professional right away if you notice any symptoms.

What is the uvea?

The uvea is the middle layer of your eye, sitting between the sclera (the white part) and the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back). It has three main parts:

  • Iris (the colored part of your eye)

  • Ciliary body (helps the lens focus)

  • Choroid (connects the retina to the sclera)

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What are the types of uveitis?

There are different types of uveitis that affect various parts of the eye:

  • Anterior uveitis targets the iris at the front of the eye. It’s the most common type and usually less severe.

  • Intermediate uveitis affects the ciliary body and the vitreous (the gel-like substance in your eye).

  • Posterior uveitis involves the retina and the choroid at the back of the eye.

  • Panuveitis impacts all parts of the uvea, from front to back.

What are the symptoms of uveitis?

The symptoms of uveitis often show up suddenly. Common signs include:

  • Blurred vision

  • Floaters (those little dark spots or wavy lines that seem to drift across your vision)

  • Eye discomfort

  • Redness in the eyes

  • Sensitivity to light

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s really important to see your eye doctor as soon as possible. Uveitis can lead to vision loss if it’s not treated.

Am I at risk for uveitis?

Anyone can get uveitis, but it’s most commonly seen in people between the ages of 20 and 60.

Your chances of developing uveitis go up if you smoke cigarettes.

What causes uveitis?

Doctors don’t always know exactly what causes uveitis, but there are several factors that can lead to it.

Sometimes, uveitis can be triggered by autoimmune disorders, such as:

  • AIDS

  • Ankylosing spondylitis

  • Behcet’s disease

  • Lupus

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Psoriasis

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Sarcoidosis

  • Ulcerative colitis

  • Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease

In other cases, it might be due to an infection or a condition related to an infection, including:

  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis

  • Histoplasmosis

  • Reactive arthritis

  • Shingles

  • Syphilis

  • Toxoplasmosis

Uveitis can also be caused by certain cancers that affect the eye, like lymphoma.

How will my doctor check for uveitis?

Eye care professionals can diagnose uveitis during a dilated eye exam. This exam is pretty straightforward and painless — your doctor will use eye drops to dilate (enlarge) your pupil and then check your eyes for signs of uveitis and other potential issues.

Your doctor will also ask about your medical history and might suggest some additional tests to see if you have an infection or another condition that could lead to uveitis.

What's the treatment for uveitis?

Steroids are often used to help reduce inflammation in your eye. This treatment can ease symptoms and help prevent vision loss. Your eye doctor might prescribe steroids in a few different forms:

  • Eye drops. Prescription eye drops are the most common way to treat it.

  • Pills. Your eye doctor might also give you steroids in pill form.

  • Injections. In some cases, your eye doctor might inject the steroid directly into or around your eye using a small needle.

  • Implants. If other treatments don’t work, your doctor might suggest surgery to place a small device called an implant in your eye. This implant releases small doses of the steroid over time.

Keep in mind that steroids can have side effects and might increase your risk of cataracts and glaucoma. If you’re prescribed steroids for uveitis, it’s important to have regular eye exams to check for any signs of these complications.

Your treatment plan will be customized based on various factors, including which part of your eye is affected and any other health conditions you might have. For example, your doctor might prescribe medications to help regulate your immune system. You can work together with your doctor to find the best treatments for your situation.