Uveitis is a condition characterized by inflammation inside the eye, often resulting from the immune systems response to an infection or, in some cases, an autoimmune attack on healthy eye tissue. This inflammation can lead to symptoms such as pain, redness, and vision loss, making prompt medical attention crucial.
The uvea, the affected part of the eye, is the middle layer situated between the sclera (white part) and the retina (light-sensitive layer at the back). It comprises three components: the iris (colored part of the eye), ciliary body (aids in lens focusing), and choroid (connects the retina to the sclera).
Various types of uveitis exist, each affecting different parts of the eye:
Early uveitis symptoms usually start suddenly. Symptoms include:
If you notice these symptoms, see your eye doctor right away. Uveitis can cause vision loss if you don’t treat it.
Causes of uveitis include autoimmune diseases, infections, or sometimes the cause is not known.
Diagnosis involves a dilated eye exam where eye drops widen the pupil for a thorough examination. Additional tests may be required to identify underlying causes. Your doctor may order various blood investigations and eye scans (Optical coherence tomography, Optical coherence tomography angiography, Fundus fluorescein angiography).
Treatment primarily involves steroids to reduce inflammation and prevent vision loss. Steroids may be administered through eye drops, oral pills, eye injections or implants. Regular eye exams are essential to monitor for potential side effects such as cataracts and glaucoma, which are associated with steroid use. Few patients may also require oral antiobiotics and immunomodulator therapy. Rarely, advanced uveitis may require vitreo-retinal surgery. Your treatment plan will depend on several factors — like which part of your eye is affected, and other health conditions you have. You can work with your doctor to find the right treatments for you.
