Uveitis

Causes and Risks:
Uveitis affects the uvea , the layer between the sclera and the retina , which also includes the iris , the ciliary body , and the choroid . The uvea is the middle layer of the eye which is very vascular and supplies blood to the retina. Causes of uveitis can include allergy , infection, chemical exposure, trauma, or the cause may be unknown.

The most common form of uveitis is anterior uveitis which affects the iris. This condition may also be called iritis or nongranulomatous uveitis. The inflammation is associated with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis . The disorder may affect only one eye and is most common in young and middle-aged people. A history of autoimmune diseases is a risk factor.

Posterior uveitis affects the back portion of the uveal tract and may involve the choroid cell layer or the retinal cell layer or both. This condition is also referred to as granulomatous uveitis, choroiditis, choroidoretinitis, or sometimes retinitis. Posterior uveitis usually follows a systemic infection; however, it is difficult to culture the organism within the eye so diagnosis is based on clinical and laboratory examination. Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common causes of congenital uveitis in infants.

The inflammation causes spotty areas of scarring that correspond to areas with vision loss . The degree of vision loss depends on the amount and location of scarring. If the central part of the retina, called the macula is involved, central vision becomes impaired.

Posterior uveitis, affecting one or both eyes, can be caused by any of the following:



Prevention:
Treatment of the causative disorders may help to prevent uveitis for some people.

Symptoms:

Note: Symptoms may develop rapidly

Signs and Tests:
An eye examination may show signs of uveitis. A slit lamp examination may be performed. A physical examination and laboratory tests may be needed to rule out underlying causes.

Treatment:
ANTERIOR UVEITIS
Warm compresses for 10 minutes 3 to 4 times a day will provide symptomatic relief. Analgesics may be prescribed, and dark glasses will provide relief from light sensitivity . Eye drops to dilate the eye help relieve the pain by preventing motion of the inflamed iris . Corticosteroid drops or ointment will help reduce the swelling.

POSTERIOR UVEITIS
The objective of treatment is to determine the underlying cause of the inflammation. Treatment is consistent with treatment for the systemic diseases of toxoplasmosis , tuberculosis , sarcoidosis , and so forth. Corticosteroids may be given if the response to antimicrobial therapy is not favorable.

Prognosis:
In anterior uveitis, most attacks last from a few days to weeks with treatment, but relapses are common. In posterior uveitis, the inflammation may last from months to years and may cause permanent vision damage, even with treatment.

Complications:



Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if uveitis symptoms are present (if eye pain or reduced vision are present, this condition is more urgent that if symptoms are very mild).


This is an illustration of a cross-section and frontal view of the eye.



Vision (central and peripheral vision) is tested by using visual field tests. Changes may indicate eye diseases, such as glaucoma or retinitis.