UveitisSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Uveitis
Uveitis is swelling and inflammation of the uvea. The uvea is the middle layer of the wall of the eye. The uvea supplies blood for the iris at the front of the eye and the retina in the back of the eye.
Iritis; Pars planitis; Choroiditis; Chorioretinitis; Anterior uveitis; Posterior uveitis; Iridocyclitis
Uveitis can be caused by autoimmune disorders. These diseases occur when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Examples are:
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Behcet disease
- Psoriasis
- Reactive arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sarcoidosis
- Ulcerative colitis
Uveitis can also be caused by infections such as:
- AIDS
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis
- Herpes zoster infection
- Histoplasmosis
- Kawasaki disease
- Syphilis
- Toxoplasmosis
Exposure to toxins or injury can also cause uveitis. In many cases, the cause is unknown.
Often the inflammation is limited to only part of the uvea. The most common form of uveitis involves inflammation of the iris, in the front part of the eye. In this case, the condition is called iritis. In most cases, it occurs in healthy people. The disorder may affect only one eye. It is most common in young and middle-aged people.
Posterior uveitis affects the back part of the eye. It involves primarily the choroid. This is the layer of blood vessels and connective tissue in the middle layer of the eye. This type of uveitis is called choroiditis. If the retina is also involved, it is called chorioretinitis.
Another form of uveitis is pars planitis. Inflammation occurs in the area called the pars plana, which is located between the iris and the choroid. Pars planitis most often occurs in young men. It is generally not associated with any other disease. However, it may be linked to Crohn disease and possibly multiple sclerosis.
Uveitis can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms depend on which part of the uvea is inflamed. Symptoms may develop rapidly and can include:
- Blurred vision
- Dark, floating spots in the vision
- Eye pain
- Redness of the eye
- Sensitivity to light
Iritis and irido-cyclitis (anterior uveitis) are most often mild. Treatment may involve:
- Dark glasses
- Eye drops that dilate the pupil to relieve pain
- Steroid eye drops
Pars planitis is often treated with steroid eye drops. Other medicines, including steroids taken by mouth, may be used to help suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation.
Posterior uveitis treatment depends on the underlying cause. It almost always includes steroids taken by mouth.
If the uveitis is caused by a body-wide (systemic) infection, you may be given antibiotics. You may also be given powerful anti-inflammatory medicines called corticosteroids. Sometimes certain types of immune-suppressant medicines are used to treat severe uveitis.
Truhlsen Eye Institute
Steven Yeh is an Ophthalmologist practicing medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. He has been practicing medicine for over 24 years. Dr. Yeh is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Uveitis. He is also highly rated in 19 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Uveitis, Neuroretinitis, Endophthalmitis, Vitrectomy, and Cataract Removal.
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Careen Lowder is an Ophthalmologist practicing medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. She has been practicing medicine for over 56 years. Dr. Lowder is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Uveitis. She is also highly rated in 24 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Uveitis, Scleritis, Birdshot Chorioretinopathy, Vitrectomy, and Cataract Removal. Dr. Lowder is board certified in American Board Of Ophthalmology, 1983.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Douglas A. Jabs, M.D., M.B.A. is an internationally-recognized expert in the evaluation and management of patients with uveitis and related immune-mediated ocular disorders, particularly on the use of immunosuppression to treat severe ocular inflammatory diseases. Founder of the Division of Ocular Immunology and Uveitis at Wilmer, he now is the Director of the Center for Clinical Trials and Evidence Synthesis at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Jabs is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Uveitis. He is also highly rated in 13 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Uveitis, CMV Retinitis, Scleritis, Cataract Removal, and Trabeculectomy. Dr. Jabs is board certified in American Board Of Internal Medicine and American Board Of Ophthalmology.
With proper treatment, most attacks of anterior uveitis go away in a few days to weeks. However, the problem often returns.
Posterior uveitis may last from months to years. It may cause permanent vision damage, even with treatment.
Complications may include:
- Cataracts
- Fluid within the retina
- Glaucoma
- Irregular pupil
- Retinal detachment
- Vision loss
Symptoms that need urgent medical care are:
- Eye pain
- Reduced vision
If you have a body-wide (systemic) infection or disease, treating the condition may prevent uveitis.
Summary: The primary objective of the study is to investigate the safety and tolerability of NOV05 eye drops at two concentrations QID in patients with active non-infectious anterior uveitis.
Summary: Uveitis is an inflammatory disease of the uvea, one of the highly vascularized fundamental structures of the eye. It is a rare condition in children, with an incidence in the pediatric population ranging from 2% to 14% of all uveitis cases. The diagnosis and management of patients with uveitis rely on a multidisciplinary approach involving an ophthalmologist, a rheumatologist, and an infectious di...
Published Date: July 09, 2024
Published By: Audrey Tai, DO, MS, Athena Eye Care, Mission Viejo, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
American Academy of Ophthalmology Eye Wiki website. Treatment of uveitis. eyewiki.org/Treatment_of_Uveitis. Updated January 16, 2024. Accessed August 14, 2024.
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Read RW. General approach to the uveitis patient and treatment strategies. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 7.2.
Testi I, Pavesio CE. Uveitis related to HLA-B27 and juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis. In: Yanoff M, Duker JS, eds. Ophthalmology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 7.13.