What is Uveitis?
This is inflammation of the uvea which is the vascular coating of the eye which is between the retina and the white or sclera of the eye. This uvea outspreads toward the front of the eye and contains the iris, choroid layer and ciliary body. The more common kind of uveitis is an inflammation of the iris called irtis or anterior uveitis.
Uveitis is swelling as well as irritation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. The uvea delivers most of the blood supply to the retina which are dire for vision.
Injury, infections as well as autoimmune disorders can be linked with the development of uveitis, but the exact cause is really unknown.
Uveitis can be very serious, and can lead to permanent vision loss. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital to prevent any complications of uveitis.
Uveitis Symptoms
The symptoms, signs and appearances of uveitis include:
- Redness of the eye
- Pain in the eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Vision which is blurred
- Dark, floating spot in the field of vision known as floaters
- Vision decreased
- Whitish area or hypopyon inside the lower part of the colored area of the eye or iris
The site of uveitis varies and is described by where in the eye it occurs.
- Anterior uveitis affects the front of the eyes called the iritis
- Posterior uveitis affects the back of the eye
- Intermediary uveitis occurs in the jelly-like matter in the center of the eye – vitreous
- Panuveitis occurs when all layers of the uvea are inflamed
Symptoms can occur very suddenly as well as rapidly worsen, but in some cases, the symptoms develop very gradually. Symptoms can be noted in one or both eyes.
An individual needs to contact their physician if they believe they have symptoms of uveitis. The physician can refer the individual to an ophthalmologist or eye specialist. If the individual is having significant pain in the eye and new vision problems, seeking medical attention promptly is most appropriate.
Uveitis Causes
The main causes of uveitis often cannot be determined. But in some individuals uveitis is linked with:
- Autoimmune disorders for instance rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis
- Inflammatory disorders for instance Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Infections such as herpes, cat-scratch disease, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, tuberculosis or West Nile virus.
- Injury of the eye
- Various cancers for instance lymphoma, that have indirect effect on the eye
If left untreated, the condition may cause some of the following complications:
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- High pressure which is abnormal inside the eye – glaucoma
- Optic nerve damage
- Clouding of the lens – cataract or cornea
- Problems with the retina such as fluid within the retina or detached retina
- Loss of vision.
Uveitis Treatment
When visiting your ophthalmologist or eye specialist, the physician will more than likely conduct a total eye exam as well as gather a thorough health history.
If the ophthalmologist believes that a causal problem is the reason for the development uveitis, he/she may refer the individual to another physician for a very general medical examination as well as laboratory tests. It is difficult to find a specific cause of uveitis. But, an effort will be made determine whether the uveitis has an infectious cause or results from some other condition.
If uveitis develops because of an underlying problem, treatment/management will need to focus on that precise causal problem. The aim of treatment is to lessen the inflammation of the eye.
Uveitis Management
Drugs which are anti-inflammatory
The physician can recommend anti-inflammatory drugs, such as a corticosteroid, to manage uveitis. This medicine can be prescribed as eyedrops. The physician could also order a corticosteroid by inoculation into the eye or by pill. For individuals with hard-to-treat posterior uveitis, there is a device that is implanted in the eye as one possibility. This device issues corticosteroid medicine gradually into the eye for about 2 ½ years.
Antiviral or Antibiotic drugs
If uveitis is triggered by an infection, antiviral drugs, antibiotics, or other drugs can be given with or without corticosteroids so as to bring this infection under control.
Cytotoxic or Immunosuppressive medication
Cytotoxic or immunosuppressive agents can become essential if the uveitis reacts poorly to corticosteroids or if it develops severe enough to be a peril to the vision.
Surgery
Vitrectomy which is a procedure to get rid of some of the jelly-like matter in the eye – vitreous – may be desirable both for diagnosis as well as the management of uveitis. A tiny sample of the vitreous may help to identify an exact reason of this eye inflammation, such as bacterium or virus. This surgical procedure can also be used to eliminate any scar tissue evolving in the vitreous.
The area of the eye affected by uveitis – either the back (posterior) or the front (anterior) of the uvea can govern how fast the eye heals. Posterior uveitis tends to heal much slower than the anterior uveitis, and a really severe inflammation will typically takes even longer to heal than a more mild case of inflammation.
Uveitis can reoccur. An individual needs to make a visit with their physician if any of the symptoms return after treatment which has been successful.
Uveitis Pictures
Pictures of Uveitis
