Ocular Disease
Uveitis
Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye. It can affect the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, but it can also involve other important structures including the retina, vitreous, optic nerve, and choroid.
Uveitis can affect one eye or both eyes. Symptoms may come on suddenly or develop gradually, and prompt evaluation is important to help protect vision.
Ocular Inflammation
Uveitis can be vision-threatening if left untreated.
Eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, floaters, or blurred vision should be evaluated promptly, especially if symptoms are new or worsening.
New eye inflammation symptoms should not be ignored.
Uveitis can cause complications such as swelling, scarring, cataracts, glaucoma, or vision loss. Early diagnosis and treatment can help reduce inflammation and protect the eye.
About Uveitis
What Is Uveitis?
Uveitis is a group of inflammatory eye conditions. The inflammation may involve the front, middle, or back of the eye. In some patients, uveitis is short-lived and improves with treatment. In others, it can return or become chronic.
Because inflammation can affect delicate tissues needed for vision, careful monitoring and treatment are important.
The Retina Connection
How Uveitis Can Affect the Retina
Some forms of uveitis affect the back of the eye, including the retina, vitreous, and choroid. This can cause floaters, blurred vision, blind spots, retinal swelling, or inflammation around blood vessels.
Retina specialists often help diagnose and manage posterior uveitis, panuveitis, and other inflammatory conditions that involve the back of the eye.
Symptoms
Uveitis Symptoms
Symptoms of uveitis can vary depending on which part of the eye is inflamed. Some symptoms may appear suddenly and worsen quickly, while others may develop more slowly.
Types
Types of Uveitis
Uveitis is often described by the part of the eye affected. Identifying the type of uveitis helps guide testing, treatment, and follow-up.
Causes
What Causes Uveitis?
In many cases, the exact cause of uveitis cannot be identified. Uveitis may be related to the immune system, an infection, an inflammatory disease, an injury, or another medical condition.
Some patients need additional testing to look for underlying causes, especially if uveitis is severe, recurrent, affects both eyes, or involves the back of the eye.
Risk Factors
Who Can Get Uveitis?
Uveitis can affect people of many ages, including adults and children. Some people may be at higher risk if they have certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, infections, or a history of eye injury.
A careful medical history helps determine whether additional testing or coordinated care with another physician is needed.
Diagnosis
How Is Uveitis Diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a complete eye examination and review of your medical history. Depending on the type and severity of inflammation, your doctor may recommend additional testing.
Treatment
Uveitis Treatments
Treatment depends on the type of uveitis, the part of the eye involved, the severity of inflammation, and whether an underlying cause is found. The goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation, relieve symptoms, treat any underlying cause, and help prevent vision loss.
Follow-Up
Why Monitoring Matters
Uveitis can improve and then return. Regular follow-up allows your doctor to monitor inflammation, check eye pressure, watch for retinal swelling, and adjust treatment when needed.
Complications
Possible Complications
Untreated or chronic uveitis can increase the risk of complications such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal swelling, scarring, or vision loss. Treatment and follow-up are focused on reducing these risks.
Uveitis Evaluation and Treatment
If you have eye redness, pain, light sensitivity, floaters, blurry vision, or a sudden change in vision, it is important to schedule an eye examination. A retina specialist can evaluate whether inflammation involves the retina, vitreous, choroid, or other parts of the eye and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Schedule an Appointment
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Our retina specialists provide evaluation and treatment for uveitis, ocular inflammation, and other diseases affecting the retina, macula, vitreous, and choroid.