Eye Health and Uveitis
Uveitis (pronounced you-vee-EYE-tis) is basically an internal inflammation of the eye. The condition involves the middle layers of the eye, also called the uveal tract or uvea. The uvea includes the iris (colored part of the eye), choroid (a thin membrane containing many blood vessels), and the ciliary body (the part of the eye that joins these together).
The uvea is very important because its many veins and arteries transport blood to the parts of the eye that are critical for vision.
Noninfectious Uveitis
Uveitis means you have inflammation -- heat, redness, pain, and swelling -- in one or both of your eyes. It can cause vision loss, but there are many ways to treat it.The key is to see a doctor as soon as you start to notice a problem. If you get treatment early, you can ease your symptoms and protect your vision.Uveitis gets its name from the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, which includes the iris (the colored part). Sometimes it’s also called iritis. The inflammation can also happen in other...
Read the Noninfectious Uveitis article > >
Learn more about the structures that make up the eye in the article titled "The Amazing Human Eye."
Symptoms of uveitis may include:
Uveitis may develop rapidly, and it is very important that you see your eye doctor for a complete eye exam if you develop these symptoms, especially if a painful, red eye does not clear up quickly.
Left untreated, uveitis may permanently damage your vision.
Uveitis has many potential causes, including infection with a virus. Other potential causes include fungus, bacteria, parasite, inflammatory disease affecting other parts of the body, or injury to the eye.
There are four types of uveitis:
Retinitis and choroiditis can each be caused by an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. In a large number of cases, the cause of uveitis is not known. Stress is sometimes suspected since the inflammation is triggered by the body's immune system.
The uvea is very important because its many veins and arteries transport blood to the parts of the eye that are critical for vision.
Recommended Related to Eye Health
Noninfectious Uveitis
Uveitis means you have inflammation -- heat, redness, pain, and swelling -- in one or both of your eyes. It can cause vision loss, but there are many ways to treat it.The key is to see a doctor as soon as you start to notice a problem. If you get treatment early, you can ease your symptoms and protect your vision.Uveitis gets its name from the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, which includes the iris (the colored part). Sometimes it’s also called iritis. The inflammation can also happen in other...
Read the Noninfectious Uveitis article > >
Learn more about the structures that make up the eye in the article titled "The Amazing Human Eye."
What Are the Symptoms of Uveitis?
Symptoms of uveitis may include:
- Eye redness and irritation
- Blurred vision
- Eye pain
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Floating spots before the eyes
Uveitis may develop rapidly, and it is very important that you see your eye doctor for a complete eye exam if you develop these symptoms, especially if a painful, red eye does not clear up quickly.
Left untreated, uveitis may permanently damage your vision.
What Causes Uveitis?
Uveitis has many potential causes, including infection with a virus. Other potential causes include fungus, bacteria, parasite, inflammatory disease affecting other parts of the body, or injury to the eye.
There are four types of uveitis:
- Iritis is the most common form of uveitis. It affects the iris and is often associated with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or sarcoidosis. Iritis may develop suddenly and may last weeks, even with treatment. Rare cases are chronic and require close, long- term monitoring.
- Cyclitis is an inflammation of the middle portion of the eye and may affect the muscle that focuses the lens. This also may develop suddenly and last several months.
- Retinitis affects the back of the eye. It may be rapidly progressive, making it difficult to treat. Retinitis may be caused by viruses such as shingles or herpes and bacterial infections such as syphilis or toxoplasmosis.
- Choroiditis is an inflammation of the layer beneath the retina. It may also be caused by an infection such as tuberculosis.
Retinitis and choroiditis can each be caused by an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. In a large number of cases, the cause of uveitis is not known. Stress is sometimes suspected since the inflammation is triggered by the body's immune system.
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