Uveitis (UVT)
Uveitis (UVT)
Uveitis (UVT) is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye wall, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. This condition can affect one or both eyes and may develop suddenly or gradually, often worsening quickly. Uveitis can lead to serious complications including permanent vision loss if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
Types of Uveitis
- Anterior Uveitis (Iritis):
Inflammation primarily affects the front part of the eye (iris and ciliary body). It is the most common type and presents with eye redness, pain, and sensitivity to light. - Intermediate Uveitis:
Involves inflammation of the vitreous humor and may affect retinal blood vessels. Symptoms include floaters and blurred vision, often without significant pain or redness. - Posterior Uveitis:
Inflammation affects the retina or choroid, potentially causing severe vision impairment. - Panuveitis:
Inflammation involves all layers of the uvea, from front to back of the eye.
Symptoms
- Eye redness
- Eye pain or discomfort
- Blurred or decreased vision
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Floaters (dark spots or shapes in vision)
- Possible changes in pupil shape or reaction
Causes
- Infections: Viral (herpes simplex, herpes zoster), bacterial (syphilis, tuberculosis), parasitic (toxoplasmosis), fungal.
- Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases: Ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, Behcet’s disease, sarcoidosis, lupus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.
- Trauma or Eye Injury: Including surgery.
- Idiopathic: In 50–70% of cases, no specific cause is identified.
- Cancers: Such as lymphoma affecting the eye.
Diagnosis
- Comprehensive eye examination including slit-lamp microscopy.
- Vision testing and intraocular pressure measurement.
- Imaging: Optical coherence tomography (OCT), fluorescein angiography, retinal photography.
- Laboratory tests to identify infectious or autoimmune causes.
- Imaging (CT or MRI) if systemic involvement is suspected.
Treatment
- Corticosteroids: Mainstay treatment to reduce inflammation; administered as eye drops for anterior uveitis or oral/IV/intravitreal injections for posterior involvement.
- Dilating Eye Drops: To relieve pain by relaxing iris muscles and prevent synechiae (pupil adhesions).
- Antimicrobial Therapy: For infectious causes.
- Immunosuppressants or Biologics: For severe, chronic, or refractory uveitis.
- Regular Monitoring: To adjust treatment and prevent complications such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal damage, or vision loss.
Complications
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Retinal detachment or scarring
- Optic nerve damage
- Permanent vision loss
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Definition | Inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye |
| Types | Anterior, intermediate, posterior, panuveitis |
| Common Symptoms | Eye redness, pain, blurred vision, photophobia, floaters |
| Causes | Infections, autoimmune diseases, trauma, idiopathic, cancers |
| Diagnosis | Eye exam, imaging, lab tests, systemic evaluation |
| Treatment | Corticosteroids, dilating drops, antimicrobials, immunosuppressants |
| Complications | Cataracts, glaucoma, retinal damage, vision loss |
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References
- Mayo Clinic: Uveitis – Symptoms and Causes
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uveitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378734 - Cleveland Clinic: Uveitis – Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14414-uveitis - MedPark Hospital: Uveitis – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
https://www.medparkhospital.com/en-US/disease-and-treatment/uveitis - National Eye Institute: Uveitis
https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/uveitis - Patient.info: Uveitis (Iritis)
https://patient.info/eye-care/eye-problems/uveitis - American Academy of Ophthalmology: What Is Uveitis?
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-uveitis
Uveitis is a potentially serious inflammatory eye condition requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent vision-threatening complications. Treatment is tailored to the type and cause of uveitis and often involves corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapies.
