Uveitis
What is Uveitis?
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of your eye. The uvea includes the iris, which controls how much light enters your eye. It also includes the choroid, which supplies blood to your retina. This layer sits between the white outer part of your eye and the inner retina.
When the uvea becomes inflamed, it can affect your vision and cause pain. Uveitis can appear suddenly or develop slowly over time. It may affect one eye or both eyes at once. Without treatment, uveitis can lead to serious complications like glaucoma, cataracts, or permanent vision loss.
Uveitis can happen to anyone at any age. However, it most commonly affects people between 20 and 60 years old. The condition accounts for about 10 percent of all cases of blindness in the United States. Early detection and treatment can help protect your vision and prevent lasting damage.
Symptoms
- Eye redness that does not improve with over the counter drops
- Eye pain that may be mild to severe
- Blurred or cloudy vision
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Seeing dark floating spots in your field of vision
- Decreased or reduced vision
- Headaches
Symptoms can come on suddenly and worsen quickly. Some people experience mild symptoms at first that gradually get worse. In rare cases, uveitis in the back of the eye may cause few symptoms until vision damage occurs.
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Causes and risk factors
Uveitis has many possible causes. In about half of cases, doctors cannot identify a specific cause. Autoimmune disorders are a common trigger, where your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy eye tissue. Infections from bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites can also cause uveitis. Certain genetic markers like HLA-B27 increase your risk of developing inflammatory eye conditions. Eye injuries, toxins, or tumors are less common causes.
Risk factors include having an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or inflammatory bowel disease. Infections such as tuberculosis, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, or HTLV can trigger eye inflammation. Smoking increases inflammation throughout your body, including your eyes. A family history of uveitis or autoimmune conditions also raises your risk. Some medications can rarely cause uveitis as a side effect.
How it's diagnosed
An eye doctor diagnoses uveitis through a complete eye examination. This includes checking your visual acuity, eye pressure, and examining the inside of your eye with special instruments. Your doctor will look for signs of inflammation, such as white blood cells or protein in the fluid inside your eye. They may dilate your pupils to get a better view of the back of your eye.
Blood tests can help identify underlying causes of uveitis. Tests for HLA-B27 antigen can reveal genetic factors linked to inflammatory eye disease. Testing for HTLV antibodies or DNA can detect viral infections that may trigger uveitis. Your doctor may order additional tests based on your symptoms and medical history. Talk to a healthcare provider about which tests are right for your situation.
Treatment options
- Corticosteroid eye drops to reduce inflammation and ease pain
- Dilating eye drops to prevent spasms and reduce pain from light sensitivity
- Oral corticosteroids or steroid injections for severe or chronic cases
- Immunosuppressive medications if autoimmune disease is the cause
- Antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals if infection is present
- Smoking cessation to reduce overall inflammation
- Anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vegetables
- Stress management techniques to support immune health
- Regular follow-up appointments to monitor healing and prevent complications
Frequently asked questions
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, affects the clear outer layer covering your eye and eyelid. Uveitis affects the middle layer inside your eye. Pink eye causes mild discomfort and discharge, while uveitis causes more severe pain and vision changes. Uveitis requires immediate medical attention to prevent vision loss.
Some mild cases of uveitis may improve without treatment, but this is risky. Untreated uveitis can cause permanent damage to your eye structures and lead to vision loss. Always see an eye doctor if you have symptoms of uveitis. Early treatment prevents complications and protects your sight.
Acute uveitis typically lasts a few weeks to 3 months with proper treatment. Chronic uveitis lasts longer than 3 months and may come and go over time. The duration depends on the underlying cause and how quickly treatment begins. Some people have recurring episodes throughout their lives.
Uveitis itself is not contagious and cannot spread from person to person. If an infection causes your uveitis, that underlying infection might be contagious. For example, tuberculosis or syphilis can spread to others. Most cases of uveitis are related to autoimmune conditions, which are not contagious.
Blood tests can identify genetic markers and infections linked to uveitis. HLA-B27 antigen testing reveals a genetic factor associated with inflammatory eye disease. HTLV antibody and DNA tests detect viral infections that can trigger uveitis. Your doctor may order additional tests based on your symptoms and medical history.
Stress does not directly cause uveitis, but it can trigger flares in people prone to autoimmune conditions. Chronic stress weakens your immune system and increases inflammation throughout your body. Managing stress through meditation, exercise, and adequate sleep may help reduce the frequency of uveitis episodes.
Limit foods that promote inflammation, such as processed foods, refined sugar, and trans fats. Reduce red meat and dairy if they trigger symptoms for you. Some people find that nightshade vegetables like tomatoes and peppers worsen inflammation. Focus on anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish, leafy greens, and berries instead.
Yes, untreated or poorly managed uveitis can lead to permanent vision loss. Complications include glaucoma, cataracts, retinal damage, and optic nerve damage. Uveitis is responsible for about 10 percent of blindness cases in the United States. Prompt treatment and regular monitoring significantly reduce the risk of permanent damage.
Follow-up frequency depends on the severity of your condition. During active inflammation, you may need weekly or bi-weekly appointments. As inflammation improves, visits may spread to every few months. People with chronic uveitis need regular monitoring even when symptoms improve to catch flares early.
Avoid wearing contact lenses during active uveitis inflammation. Contacts can irritate your eyes further and trap bacteria against inflamed tissue. Wait until your doctor confirms the inflammation has cleared before resuming contact lens wear. Some people with chronic uveitis may need to switch to glasses permanently.