Introduction

Uveitis is the inflammation of the uvea, the pigmented layer that lies between the inner retina and the outer fibrous layer composed of the sclera and cornea. The uvea consists of the middle layer of pigmented vascular structures of the eye and includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. Uveitis is an ophthalmic emergency and requires a thorough examination by an ophthalmologist or optometrist and urgent treatment to control the inflammation. It is often associated with other ocular problems.

Symptoms

The signs, symptoms and characteristics of uveitis may include: Eye redness, Eye pain, Light sensitivity, Blurred vision, Dark, floating spots in your field of vision (floaters) and Decreased vision. Symptoms may occur suddenly and get worse quickly, though in some cases, they develop gradually. They may affect one or both eyes. Occasionally, there are no symptoms, and signs of uveitis are observed on a routine eye exam.

The uvea is the middle layer of tissue in the wall of the eye. It consists of the iris, the ciliary body and the choroid. When you look at your eye in the mirror, you will see the white part of the eye (sclera) and the colored part of the eye (iris).

The iris is located inside the front of the eye. The ciliary body is a structure behind the iris. The choroid is a layer of blood vessels between the retina and the sclera. The retina lines the inside of the back of the eye, like wallpaper. The inside of the back of the eye is filled with a gel-like liquid called vitreous.

Causes

The exact cause of uveitis is often unclear, but some factors increase the chance of it happening. These include: Juvenile arthritis, psoriasis and other autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Inflammatory disorders, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, AIDS/HIV and other diseases that weaken the immune system, Infections that increase the risk of uveitis include HIV, brucellosis, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, syphilis, toxocariasis, toxoplasmosis and tuberculosis (TB). Uveitis may occur as a normal immune response to fight an infection inside the eye.

Research suggests that there may be a link between black tattoo ink and uveitis. It is thought that skin tattoeing may trigger an immune response that affects both the eyes and the skin, in some people.

Diagnosis

An ophthalmologist, or eye specialist, will ask about signs, symptoms, and general medical history. It is important to know whether the uveitis is caused by an infectious process or an underlying disease. If another condition appears to underlie the uveitis, the ophthalmologist may refer the patient to a specialist to make sure that condition receives proper treatment.

The ophthalmologist will look at the eye with a special slit lamp. When the light hits the inside of the eye, the doctor can determine whether that area is clear or foggy. If there is inflammation in the iris, patients may feel some pain when the pupil contracts, which is when light hits it. If uveitis is present, white blood cells and protein in the eye fluid can be seen through the microscope. The doctor may also order blood tests and x-rays.

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