Diseases Treatment

What is this condition?

Uveitis is an inflammation of one uveal tract of the eye. (The uveal tract consists of the iris, choroid, and related tissue structures.) The disorder occurs as anterior uveitis, which affects the iris (iritis) or both the iris and the ciliary body (iridocyclitis); as posterior uveitis, which affects the choroid (choroiditis) or both the choroid and the retina (chorioretinitis); or as panuveitis, which affects the entire uveal tract.

Untreated anterior uveitis progresses to posterior uveitis, causing scarring, cataracts, and glaucoma. With immediate treatment, anterior uveitis usually subsides after a few days to several weeks; however, recurrence is likely. Posterior uveitis generally causes some residual vision loss and markedly blurred vision.
What causes it?

In most cases, the cause of uveitis is unknown. But it can result from allergy, bacteria, viruses, fungi, chemicals, traumatic injury, surgery, or systemic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and toxoplasmosis.
What are its symptoms?

Anterior uveitis produces moderate to severe pain in one eye; severe ciliary congestion; sensitivity to light; tearing; a small, nonreactive pupil; and blurred vision. Posterior uveitis begins insidiously, with complaints of slightly decreased or blurred vision or floating spots. Pain and sensitivity to light may also occur.
How is it diagnosed?

In anterior and posterior uveitis, a slit-lamp exam shows a “flare and cell” pattern, which looks like light passing through smoke. It also shows an increased number of cells over the inflamed area. With a special lens, the doctor can also use slit-lamp and ophthalmoscopic exams to identifY active inflammatory fundus lesions involving the retina or choroid.

In posterior uveitis, serologic tests can reveal if toxoplasmosis is the cause.
How is it Treated?

Uveitis requires vigorous and prompt management, which includes treatment of any known underlying cause and application of eye­drops or ointment, such as 1 % Atropisol or steroids. For severe uveitis, therapy includes oral steroids. However, long-term steroid therapy can cause increased intraocular pressure and increased risk of cataracts.