May 2025 Newsletter: Uveitis

What is Uveitis?

Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea. The uvea is the middle layer of the eye, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. This part of the eye is responsible for supplying blood to the retina. Inflammation in this area can seriously affect vision. Uveitis can occur in one or both eyes and can either arise suddenly or gradually. Symptoms vary depending on the type and location of the inflammation. Without timely treatment, uveitis can lead to complications such as glaucoma, cataracts, or permanent vision loss.

Causes of Uveitis

Uveitis has many potential triggers, including:

• Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or sarcoidosis

• Infections, including:

  • Toxoplasmosis

  • Herpes simplex or herpes zoster viruses

  • Syphilis

  • Tuberculosis

• Eye injuries or trauma

• Certain cancers (e.g., lymphoma)

• Idiopathic cases, where no specific cause is identified

Why Is Uveitis a Concern?

Uveitis is a medical emergency when not treated promptly. Inflammation inside the eye can damage vital structures, leading to complications like retinal swelling, optic nerve damage, and blindness. In children, it can go unnoticed and silently impair visual development.

Symptoms to Watch For

Symptoms often depend on whether uveitis affects the front (anterior), middle (intermediate), back (posterior), or the entire uveal tract (panuveitis), but may include:

• Eye redness

• Blurred vision

• Eye pain or soreness

• Light sensitivity (photophobia)

• Floating spots or “floaters” in vision

  
  

  

  
  

How Is Uveitis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive eye exam and may include:

• Slit-lamp examination to inspect the front of the eye

• Dilated eye exam to view the back of the eye

• Blood tests and imaging to identify underlying systemic causes

• Ocular coherence tomography (OCT) or fluorescein angiography for retinal evaluation

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause, severity, and location of inflammation.

• For Inflammatory Cases:

  • Corticosteroid eye drops (commonly for anterior uveitis)

  • Oral or injectable steroids for deeper inflammation

  • Immunosuppressive drugs if autoimmune diseases are involved

• For Infectious Causes:

  • Antiviral, antibiotic, or antifungal medications

  • Anti-inflammatory treatments to manage swelling

• For Severe or Chronic Cases:

  • Steroid implants or injections

  • Surgical intervention if complications like glaucoma or cataracts arise

Prevention and Management

While not all cases are preventable, you can lower your risk and protect your vision by:

•  Using protective eyewear to prevent trauma 

• Attending regular eye exams (especially if you have risk factors)

• Seeking care for eye pain of changes to perception

• Managing underlying conditions 

  
  

While Uveitis is an uncommon condition, it is ignorant to ignore its existence. Attend regular check ups as you get older and spread your knowledge about eye conditions to those who are unaware of the dangers present in the common day to their eyes. Better to be safe than sorry, don’t wait for symptoms to get worse, get your eyes checked.