Alternative names: Anterior uveitis, Intermediate uveitis, Posterior uveitis, Pan-uveitis, Choroiditis, Chorioretinitis
The term uveitis describes a group of inflammatory diseases that produce swelling, eye pain, distorted vision, and possible eye tissue damage.
There are four types of uveitis:
Uveitis is caused by an inflammatory response inside the eye. Inflammatory cells can enter through the many blood vessels in the middle and at the front of the eye. Examples include:
Sometimes the cause of eye inflammation is unknown. Anterior uveitis is often caused by rheumatologic, skin, gastrointestinal, lung or infectious disease; Intermediate uveitis has been associated with various diseases, including sarcoidosis and multiple sclerosis; Posterior uveitis has many possible causes.
Uveitis causes vision problems by affecting the lens, retina, optic nerve, and vitreous. It can affect one eye or both; symptoms can develop rapidly and may include:
Diagnosis can involve physical examination, medical history, laboratory tests for infection, autoimmune disorders, central nervous system disorders, and eye tests (visual acuity, funduscopic exam, ocular pressure, slit lamp exam).
Treatment depends on the type of uveitis, and what is causing it. Removing any underlying disease condition is obviously important, but the initial goal is to reduce and eliminate inflammation and pain, prevent further eye tissue damage, and restore any loss of vision if possible. Treatment methods include:
Although not normally a serious condition, uveitis can lead to slight vision loss or even complete blindness in severe cases. Intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, and pan-uveitis are the most serious forms, often causing blindness if left untreated.
It is always important to see an eye specialist when any eye symptoms occur.