What is uveitis?
Uveitis (pronounced, “you-vee-EYE-tis”) is a general term used to describe inflammation inside the eye. The uvea is the name given to the layer of tissue in the eye that has a brown color (melanin pigment) and blood vessels, which serve to provide blood supply and protect the eye from excessive light. The uvea can be divided into separate parts, which perform different functions in the eye: the iris, the ciliary body, the pars plana, and the choroid. The part of the uvea in the front of the eye is called the iris (the round, blue or brown part of the eye that you can see in the mirror). Behind the iris is the ciliary body, which produces the fluid that fills the eye. The pars plana serves as the boundary between the ciliary body and the choroid. The back part of the uvea that lies under the retina (the “film” in the eye that “takes the picture”) is called the choroid. Therefore, in any one patient uveitis is usually given a more specific name depending on where most of the inflammation is located in the eye. For example, inflammation of the iris is called iritis. When inflammation is mainly in the central vitreous gel of the eye, it is called intermediate uveitis.
What causes uveitis?
Uveitis may be caused by infection, injury from trauma, disease in the body outside the eye, or sometimes for unknown reasons. Infection by a virus, bacteria, fungus, or other parasite may cause uveitis. Infections may be limited to the eye or may involve other organs as well. In other cases uveitis is caused by inflammation without infection. For example, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel disease may cause uveitis. Uveitis commonly occurs following an injury to the eye. In some cases, no underlying cause can be found to be the cause of uveitis. Very rarely, cancer may cause uveitis. Tobacco may be an aggravating factor and should be discontinued.
What are the symptoms of uveitis?
Various symptoms may be experienced depending on where is uvea is most inflamed. Symptoms may be mild or they may be severe and disabling. The eye may be painful, red, tearing, and light sensitive. Tiny floating spots which move or “float” may be seen. Sometimes blind spots, blurred vision, distortion, or loss of side vision occurs.
How is uveitis managed?
To effectively treat uveitis it is important to find the underlying cause whenever possible. Take some time to carefully review and report to your doctor any unusual or unexplained symptoms (see uveitis questionnaire) such as rashes, inflamed tattoos, back and joint problems. Tell your doctor if you have been exposed to TB (tuberculosis), traveled abroad, spent time in rural settings, or may be exposed to animals or infections. Heredity may also play a role. You should tell your doctor about any family members with inflammatory disorders anywhere in the body. Also, review and report your ancestry (for example, Asian, Mediterranean, or American Indian ancestry). When the doctor diagnoses uveitis, laboratory tests may be ordered to help determine its cause. Occasionally, a surgical biopsy is needed for diagnosis. If infection is found, antibiotics are prescribed. To limit the damage from inflammation, uveitis is treated with anti-inflammatory medication in the form of eye drops (steroid and non-steroid), eye injections, and/or systemic therapy (pills or injections into the skin). When systemic therapy is used, the eye doctor frequently coordinates medical care with the expert assistance of a rheumatologist. Rarely, surgery is required to treat uveitis. In some cases, uveitis may be long-lasting. In these cases, years of therapy are needed to preserve vision. Uveitis is a serious eye problem and may result in loss of vision or blindness. However, by seeing your eye doctor and taking the medications exactly as recommended, damage to your vision can be minimized.
In some cases, uveitis can return at a future date. Therefore, if you become aware of symptoms of uveitis in the future, do not hesitate to contact your doctor.
For a telemedicine consultation with Dr Pautler, please send email request to spautler@rvaf.com. We accept Medicare and most insurances in Florida. Please include contact information (including phone number) in the email. We are unable to provide consultation for those living outside the state of Florida with the exception of limited one-time consultations with residents of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, and Washington.
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