WHAT WE TREAT
Uveitis
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye between the sclera and the retina.
About Uveitis
Overview
Uveitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the uvea, the middle layer of the eye located between the white outer wall (sclera) and the retina. The uvea contains many of the eye’s blood vessels, so inflammation in this area can significantly affect vision and ocular health.
Uveitis may occur in one or both eyes and can develop suddenly or progress gradually. Common symptoms include:
- Eye redness
- Pain or tenderness
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Floaters or spots in the vision
Because uveitis can be associated with systemic disease, it often requires both ocular and general medical evaluation. These conditions can affect multiple parts of the body, so management may require collaboration with other specialists such as a rheumatologist or internist. Despite extensive testing, about 30% of cases of uveitis have no identifiable cause (idiopathic uveitis).
Causes
Uveitis has many potential causes, generally grouped into infectious and non-infectious (autoimmune) categories.
Non-Infectious / Autoimmune Causes
In the United States, about 25–50% of uveitis cases are linked to autoimmune or inflammatory diseases such as:
- Sarcoidosis
- Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
Infectious Causes
Uveitis can also result from infections caused by:
- Viruses (e.g., herpes simplex, herpes zoster, cytomegalovirus)
- Bacteria (e.g., syphilis, tuberculosis, Lyme disease)
- Fungi or parasites (rare)
Treatment Options From LRR
Treatments
Treatment depends on the underlying cause, location, and severity of inflammation. Most cases of uveitis can be successfully managed with timely therapy.
Common Treatments Include:
- Corticosteroid eye drops – the first-line therapy for anterior (front) uveitis
- Dilating drops – to relieve pain and prevent scar formation inside the eye
- Oral or injectable corticosteroids – for more severe inflammation involving deeper parts of the eye
- Immunosuppressive or biologic agents – used in chronic or aggressive cases, often in collaboration with a rheumatologist
- Surgical treatment (vitrectomy) – occasionally required to remove inflammatory debris or treat complications such as vitreous opacities
More To Know
Diagnosis
A thorough eye examination and systemic work-up are essential. Your ophthalmologist may perform specialized testing, including:
- Blood tests or imaging to identify potential systemic causes
- Slit-lamp biomicroscopy (to visualize inflammation inside the eye)
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) (to assess retinal swelling)
- Fluorescein angiography (to evaluate retinal blood vessels)
Prognosis
With prompt diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and regular follow-up, most patients with uveitis can maintain good vision and long-term ocular health. Because recurrence is possible, continued monitoring by a retina or uveitis specialist is recommended, even after symptoms improve.
Prepare For Your Visit
If you already have an appointment made, we look forward to providing your care! If you need an appointment or have questions, please reach out to the Lakes Region Retina care team.
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