Uveitis
What is Uveitis ?
Uveitis is a form of eye inflammation. It affects the middle layer of tissue in the eye wall (uvea). Uveitis (u-vee-I-tis) warning signs often come on suddenly and get worse quickly. They include eye redness, pain, and blurred vision. The condition can affect one or both eyes, and it can affect people of all ages, even children.
Possible causes of uveitis are infection, injury, or an autoimmune or inflammatory disease. Many times, a cause can’t be identified. Uveitis can be serious, leading to permanent vision loss. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent complications and preserve your vision.
Symptoms
- Eye redness
- Eye pain
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred vision
- Dark, floating spots in your field of vision
- Decreased vision
- Red eye or eye irritation
- Swollen conjunctiva
- Pupil shape changes
- Gaps or missing sections in your field of vision
Cause
In about half of all cases, the specific cause of uveitis isn’t clear, and the disorder may be considered an autoimmune disease that only affects the eye or eyes. If a cause can be determined, it may be one of the following: an autoimmune or inflammatory disorder that affects other parts of the body, such as sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or Crohn’s disease. Ankylosing spondylitis, a type of inflammatory disease that can cause some of the bones in the spine to fuse, leading to back pain. Uveitis is one of the most common complications of ankylosing spondylitis. An infection, such as cat-scratch disease, herpes zoster, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, or tuberculosis. Medication side effects. Eye injury or surgery. Very rarely, a cancer that affects the eye, such as lymphoma.
Risk Factors
People with changes in certain genes may be more likely to develop uveitis. Cigarette smoking has been associated with more difficult to control uveitis.
When to see a Doctor
Contact your doctor if you think you have the warning signs of uveitis. He or she may refer you to an eye specialist (ophthalmologist). If you’re having significant eye pain and unexpected vision problems, seek immediate medical attention.