General Information About Uveitis
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the inflammation of the Uvea (which includes the iris, the colored part of the eye), the vascular-rich middle membrane that supplies blood to the inside of the eye, caused by an attack from the immune system or microbes.
In pink eye (conjunctivitis), the eye also turns red, but there is only watering, crusting, and itching. In uveitis (because it is much deeper), there is no crusting; the inside of the eyeball aches/throbs, vision becomes significantly blurred, the patient CANNOT LOOK AT LIGHT (Photophobia), and sees floating black dots/cobwebs in the eye.
In about 40-50% of cases, the underlying cause is Systemic Autoimmune (Rheumatic) Diseases. Especially Behçet's Disease (which causes mouth ulcers), Ankylosing Spondylitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Sarcoidosis frequently attack the uvea layer in the eye while attacking the body. Additionally, infections like Toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, or herpes virus (HSV) also cause uveitis.
Yes, it is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. If uveitis attacks are left untreated or recur frequently, inflammatory proteins inside the eye block the eye's drainage canals causing Glaucoma (Eye Pressure), cloud the lens causing early Cataracts, or cause fluid accumulation in the macula (Macular Edema), leading to permanent vision loss.
It is instantly diagnosed when the ophthalmologist looks into the anterior chamber of the eye with a Biomicroscope and sees inflammatory cells (like dust/snowflakes) that shouldn't be floating there, along with accumulated proteins (flare). For posterior uveitis, OCT and eye angiography are performed.
Uveitis is an EMERGENCY situation and its treatment is very aggressive.
Eye Drops: Pupil-dilating (Cycloplegic) drops are given to relieve pain and prevent the iris from sticking to the lens. To extinguish the inflammation, Strong Cortisone eye drops (instilled every hour) are started.
Systemic Treatment: If drops are insufficient or if the disease is of rheumatic origin, the disease is put completely to sleep by administering high-dose oral/intravenous Cortisone and pills that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants).
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
