Uveitis Treatment

Uveitis is a term for inflammation or infection inside the eye. The condition can affect different parts of the eye, and your diagnosis may be more specific depending on the location:

Iritis or Anterior Uveitis – Inflammation of the colored iris and surrounding tissue
Vitritis or Intermediate Uveitis – Inflammation in the middle portion of the eye
Retinitis or Choroiditis (Posterior Uveitis) – Inflammation in the back of the eye
Uveitis can impact vision and may cause complications in other critical areas of the eye.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Because uveitis can arise from many causes, evaluation by a specialized ophthalmologist is essential. At Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, our physicians carefully examine your eyes to provide personalized treatment.

Symptoms of Uveitis

Symptoms often appear suddenly and may worsen quickly. Common signs include:

Causes of Uveitis

Uveitis can result from:

Eye injuries or surgery
Eye-specific inflammatory conditions (e.g., birdshot chorioretinopathy, pars planitis)
Eye-specific inflammatory conditions (e.g., birdshot chorioretinopathy, pars planitis)
Systemic inflammatory disorders (e.g., sarcoidosis, ankylosing spondylitis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Crohn’s disease)
Infections (e.g., cat-scratch disease, herpes zoster, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, Lyme disease, West Nile virus)
Eye cancers (e.g., lymphoma)

Lifestyle factors: Studies show uveitis is more common and severe in people who smoke cigarettes, so quitting may help.

Untreated uveitis can lead to serious complications, including glaucoma, cataracts, or vision loss.

Tests and Diagnosis

Blood Tests & X-Rays

Standard blood tests and imaging, plus specialist referrals if needed.

Eye Fluid Analysis

Small samples from the front of the eye may help diagnose certain infections.

Eye Angiography

Fluorescent dye injected into a vein highlights blood flow in retinal vessels to detect inflammation.

Eye Photography

Modern imaging measures retina thickness and detects signs of inflammation quickly and painlessly.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the type and cause of uveitis:

Oral Medications

Injected Medications

Vitrectomy

FAQ

What is uveitis, and why is it sometimes called 'silent inflammation'?

Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea—the middle eye layer with iris, ciliary body, and choroid—causing pain, light sensitivity, floaters, or blurred vision if unchecked. It’s ‘silent’ because mild cases smolder without fanfare, yet flare-ups can scar the retina or raise pressure, leading to glaucoma. Triggers include autoimmune (like ankylosing spondylitis), infections (herpes), or idiopathic—it’s the eye’s way of yelling for help amid immune chaos.

What are the types of uveitis, and how do symptoms vary?

Anterior uveitis hits the front (iris), sparking red, achy eyes with glare aversion—most common, episodic. Intermediate affects the vitreous gel, causing floaters and blur without pain; posterior targets retina/choroid with vision distortion; panuveitis engulfs all, risking severe loss. Kids might show subtler signs like poor school focus, while adults note headaches—type guides urgency, as posterior needs faster imaging.

How is uveitis diagnosed in a clinical setting?

It kicks off with slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealing cells in the anterior chamber like dust in sunlight, plus dilated fundus checks for posterior involvement. Blood tests hunt infections (syphilis serology) or autoimmunity (HLA-B27), and OCT/angiography map swelling. No home kit—it’s pro territory, often with rheumatology input, to tailor therapy and dodge complications like cataracts.

What are the primary treatment strategies for uveitis?

Steroid eye drops taper inflammation fast for anterior flares, escalating to injections or oral prednisone for stubborn cases—80% respond initially. Immunosuppressants like methotrexate or biologics (adalimumab) prevent relapses in chronic autoimmune types, while antivirals tackle infections. Surgery rarely, for cataracts born of treatment; goal: quiescence, monitored by cell grading, restoring clear, pain-free sight.

Can lifestyle and prevention play a role in managing uveitis?

Dark glasses and humidity combat dryness, omega-3s (fish oil) may dampen inflammation per studies, and stress reduction via mindfulness curbs flares. If linked to IBD or psoriasis, treat the root—annual exams for at-risk folks (e.g., family autoimmune history) catch it early. With compliance, most control it long-term, but report new floaters pronto to safeguard vision’s future.