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Uveitis is a subspecialty of ophthalmology that deals with various causes of inflammation inside the eye. Uveitis can cause symptoms such as eye redness, eye pain, light sensitivity, floaters and blurred vision. It can be due to an infection or a sign of a systemic autoimmune disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Uveitis is generally treated with steroids, but in infectious cases, antibiotics are necessary.
Uveitis damages the uvea but often affects other eye parts, too. Sometimes, it goes away quickly. But in some cases, it comes back and becomes a chronic condition, lasting long. If left untreated, Uveitis can cause vision loss.
Addressing Common Uveitis Treatment Questions
Uveitis is the inflammation of the eye.
Ophthalmologists classify Uveitis into four forms depending on which part of the eye is inflamed: anterior, intermediate, posterior or panuveitis.
Uveitis can be part of a systemic disease. Patients with autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease, are prone to developing uveitis. Infections can also cause uveitis, including those due to tuberculosis, Herpes virus, Cat-scratch disease, HIV, and various parasitic infections. Eye surgery can also result to eye inflammation.
Anterior uveitis typically causes eye redness, light sensitivity and teary eye. In a few cases, there may be blurring of vision.
Anterior uveitis typically causes eye redness, light sensitivity and teary eye. In a few cases, there may be blurring of vision.
Uveitis is diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination by a trained and experienced ophthalmologist. In most cases of uveitis, several laboratory tests including blood tests, x-rays, urine analysis, etc, are requested. Samples of the fluid inside the eye may need to be obtained and examined in a few instances.
Uveitis, if untreated, can lead to permanent loss of vision. Other complications of uveitis include cataract formation, glaucoma and retinal detachment.
