What it is:
Uveitis (you-vee-EYE-tis) is an irritation and swelling of the middle layer of the coats of the eye. This layer is called the uvea.
What You Need To Do:
If your eye is red, painful, and sensitive to light, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Why It’s Important:
Uveitis can scar the eye or lead to blindness. Another serious illness or condition that needs treatment may be the cause.
Symptoms
Uveitis may develop suddenly. You might feel pain in your eye and your eye may become red all over. Or you may not have pain, but your vision suddenly becomes blurry.
Other symptoms of uveitis include light sensitivity, and spots in your vision, called floaters. Any of these symptoms may mean you have uveitis.
There are also different kinds of uveitis. When the front part of the uvea is swollen or inflamed, it is called “iritis.” When the middle layer is inflamed, it is called “cyclitis.” An inflammation of the back part of the uvea is called “choroiditis.”
Treatment
Eye drops can reduce the swelling in the eye. Corticosteroids and pupil dilators, in particular, will lessen the pain and redness in the eye. If the swelling is severe, your doctor may also give you a shot or oral medicine to take.
If you are diagnosed with uveitis along with another eye disease like glaucoma, you may also need conventional surgery or laser surgery.
Tests/Diagnosis
A thorough eye examination is necessary to diagnose uveitis. Your ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) may also order blood tests, skin tests, or x-rays to determine whether you have uveitis or another condition.
Since uveitis can be caused by illnesses in other parts of the body, your doctor will want to know about your overall health. He or she may want to consult with your primary care physician or other specialists.
Causes/Risk Factors
The causes of uveitis are not fully understood.
Some causes include having a fungus or a parasite infection. Uveitis may also be caused by an illness in another part of the body such as arthritis or lupus. Eye injuries or multiple eye surgeries can also lead to uveitis. Most often, despite a thorough search, no cause is found.