Patients with possible uveitis should see an eye doctor about treatment options. Uveitis is inflammation of the eye that can cause loss of vision if left untreated. There are multiple treatment options available, but unless intervention begins right away, the damage to the eye could be permanent.
An eye doctor can explain the condition and recommend appropriate treatment options. Patients should be prepared to ask the doctor questions about the condition such as the ones that follow.
To answer this question, it is first necessary to understand the basics of eye anatomy. The human eye is made up of several layers. The uvea is the middle layer of the eye. It contains other parts such as the iris, which is the colored portion. Uveitis is a term given to inflammation of the uvea and/or the different parts it contains. The inflammation can cause damage to the tissues of the eye, which can lead to permanent vision loss.
Uveitis can have many possible causes. Sometimes it results from a systematic disorder, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Sometimes it arises from an infection. A traumatic injury to the eye can also cause uveitis. Often, however, the cause of uveitis cannot be identified.
Uveitis is characterized based on the area of the eye that it affects. Inflammation affecting the front part of the eye is called anterior uveitis, while inflammation in the back of the eye is posterior uveitis. Intermediate uveitis affects the middle portion of the eye, and inflammation that affects all areas at the same time is called panuveitis or diffuse uveitis.
The symptoms of uveitis depend partially on the area of the eye that is affected. Eye pain is common with anterior uveitis but may not be present with posterior or intermediate cases. Patients often report shadows or specks in their visual field, more commonly referred to as "floaters." These may contribute to blurriness or decreased visual acuity. The inflammation may cause eye redness, and patients may become sensitive to light.
The pain and inflammation caused by uveitis can often be alleviated with anti-inflammatory medications using steroids. An eye doctor may prescribe oral steroids or, more often, eye drops containing corticosteroids. Another treatment option is surgical insertion of a corticosteroid implant into the eye. The implant delivers sustained amounts of anti-inflammatory medication and is usually recommended for treating posterior uveitis.
The cause of the inflammation also influences its treatment. For example, uveitis that arises from an autoimmune disorder, in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the body, may require immunosuppressant medication. Examples of immune disorders that may cause uveitis include systemic lupus erythematosus (more commonly referred to as lupus) and rheumatoid arthritis.
The risk of developing uveitis also increases with smoking. An eye doctor may encourage patients who are also smokers to quit as soon as possible.
Uveitis, if left untreated, can have serious consequences on a patient's vision. If you are experiencing possible symptoms, make an appointment with an eye doctor as soon as possible to get your questions answered.
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