Uveitis
What is Uveitis
Uveitis refers to a range of eye related conditions. The term is used to refer to an inflammatory process in the inside of the eye associated with the uvea.
What causes Uveitis?
Uveitis occurs either due to an inflammatory or an infective cause. A workup by means of a blood tests and an X-ray is required in certain cases.
5 Suspected Causes of Uveitis:
- Trauma (injury to the eye).
- Bacterial or Viral infections.
- Exposure to eye penetrating toxins.
- Inflammatory or autoimmune diseases.
- Infections or tumours in the eye or elsewhere in the body.
10 common uveitis symptoms
- Blurry vision.
- Cloudy vision.
- Decreased vision.
- Floaters (tiny rods or chains of bubbles).
- Sensitivity to light (Photophobia).
- Headaches.
- Eye pain.
- Redness of eye.
- Alteration of the Iris colour.
- A small pupil.
5 Risk Factors:
- Autoimmune conditions
- Infections
- Trauma
- HLA-B27 gene
Types of Uveitis:
- Anterior Uveitis affects the iris and anterior chamber of the eye.
- Intermediate Uveitis causes inflammation of the vitreous .
- Posterior Uveitis occurs at the back of the eye and includes inflammation of the choroid.
- Panuveitis is an inflammation in all layers of the Uvea.
The most common Uveitis is Anterior Uveitis.
Uveitis Diagnosis
An eye exam in conjunction with a review of medical history is needed to diagnose uveitis. During the eye test, the ophthalmologist will evaluate if a patient’s vision has decreased, inspect the inside of the eye and measure eye pressure. Laboratory tests might be used to rule out additional infections or an autoimmune disease.
Uveitis Treatment
Without treatment, uveitis can lead to more serious conditions such as cataracts, retinal edema and loss of vision. Treatment is tailored to the individual’s reasons for the inflammation.
After an ophthalmologist has excluded any underlying causes or illnesses, most people will be treated with topical steroid eye drops. More severe cases of uveitis may require systemic or periocular steroid treatment.
Those who get treated quickly may recover quicker. Anterior uveitis generally goes away within a few weeks of treatment. Posterior uveitis, especially when linked to an additional condition, can take months to heal. It is not uncommon to have a relapse.
It is important to follow your doctor’s advice, including the need for any follow up appointments or additional tests once the infection has cleared up.
How to prevent Uveitis
The best measure is to seek prompt evaluation and treatment. This is especially important if you have already had uveitis and are experiencing a recurrence. How severe the uveitis is, is linked to how quickly you seek treatment once you have it. It is therefore important to get a professional diagnosis and treatment as soon as you suspect you may have something wrong with an eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I distinguish uveitis from a common "red eye" or conjunctivitis?
Unlike simple conjunctivitis (pink eye), which usually involves itchiness, discharge, and a "gritty" feeling, uveitis often presents with a deep, dull ache in the eye or brow. A hallmark symptom of anterior uveitis is photophobia, significant pain when exposed to bright light.
What is the link between uveitis and other systemic autoimmune diseases?
In many cases, uveitis is an ocular manifestation of an underlying systemic condition. The body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy eye tissue, similar to how it might attack joints in Rheumatoid Arthritis or the spine in Ankylosing Spondylitis.
What are the primary treatment options for managing inflammation?
The "gold standard" for treatment is corticosteroid medication, which works to rapidly suppress the immune response. For anterior uveitis, this usually means intensive steroid eye drops and dilating drops (to prevent the iris from sticking to the lens). For inflammation deeper in the eye, steroids may be delivered via local injections around the eye or oral tablets.
What are the risks of leaving uveitis untreated or poorly managed?
Persistent internal inflammation is highly destructive to the delicate structures of the eye. Untreated uveitis can lead to a "synechiae" (where the iris sticks to the lens), which can cause a sudden spike in eye pressure known as secondary glaucoma.