Uveitis: Inflammation Inside the Eye Explained

What Is Uveitis?

Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye that includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. Because this layer contains many blood vessels and sits close to structures essential for vision, inflammation here can affect sight if it isn't identified and treated appropriately.

Uveitis can occur as a single, isolated episode that resolves with treatment and never returns, or it can become recurrent or chronic, particularly when it's linked to an ongoing autoimmune condition elsewhere in the body. It can affect people of any age, including children, though certain underlying causes are more common in particular age groups.

Types

• Anterior uveitis: Affects the front of the eye (the iris), and is the most common type. It tends to cause the most noticeable pain and redness.
• Intermediate uveitis: Affects the middle structures of the eye, often presenting with floaters and blurred vision rather than significant pain.
• Posterior uveitis: Affects the back of the eye, including the retina and choroid, and can have a more significant impact on vision.

Causes

Uveitis can arise from several different sources:

• Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions: Such as certain types of arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, where the body's immune system mistakenly targets its own tissue.
• Infection: Including viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections that trigger inflammation inside the eye.
• Eye injury: Trauma can sometimes trigger an inflammatory response.
• Idiopathic: In a significant number of cases, no specific underlying cause is ever identified, even after thorough testing.

Symptoms

• Eye redness, often more pronounced around the colored part of the eye
• Eye pain, which can range from mild aching to significant discomfort
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• New floaters
• In some cases, a smaller or irregularly shaped pupil

Symptoms can develop suddenly over a day or two, as is typical with anterior uveitis, or build up more gradually over weeks, which is more typical of posterior uveitis. The specific pattern and combination of symptoms often gives your ophthalmologist helpful early clues about which part of the eye is affected.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis involves a detailed eye examination, often including a slit-lamp exam to look closely at the structures inside the eye, and sometimes blood tests or imaging if an underlying systemic cause is suspected. Treatment typically centers on anti-inflammatory eye drops, and depending on the type and cause, may also involve oral medication or treatment directed at an underlying condition. Because uveitis can recur, especially when linked to a chronic autoimmune condition, ongoing monitoring is often part of long-term care.

Possible Complications if Untreated

Left untreated, uveitis can lead to complications such as glaucoma (raised eye pressure), cataracts, or swelling in the retina, any of which can threaten vision. This is why prompt treatment and consistent follow-up are so important — most people with uveitis who are treated appropriately maintain good vision over the long term.

Because some of these complications, like raised eye pressure, don't cause obvious symptoms on their own, regular monitoring during and after a uveitis episode is just as important as the initial treatment. Your ophthalmologist will likely check your eye pressure and examine the retina at each follow-up visit specifically to catch any of these complications early, when they are most manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified ophthalmologist for diagnosis and treatment tailored to your condition.