Uveitis care
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. It can affect one or both eyes, can return after treatment, and, if not controlled, can lead to glaucoma, cataract, macular swelling and permanent loss of vision.
Understanding uveitis
The uvea is the middle layer of the eye, rich in blood vessels. It has three parts: the iris (the coloured part around the pupil) at the front, the ciliary body just behind it, and the choroid, which lines the back of the eye beneath the retina. Uveitis is named after the part that is inflamed.
Symptoms depend on which part of the eye is inflamed. Inflammation at the back of the eye is often painless, so it can be missed.
A red eye that does not settle with ordinary drops, or keeps coming back, should be examined by an eye specialist.
Uveitis can be linked to a condition elsewhere in the body, to an infection, or have no identifiable cause. Knowing which matters, because the treatment is different.
Steroid and pupil-dilating drops for inflammation at the front of the eye.
Steroid injections around or inside the eye for deeper inflammation and macular swelling.
Oral steroids, and for long-standing disease, immunosuppressive medicines, with regular blood tests.
Specific antibiotic, antiviral or anti-TB treatment when an infection is the cause.
No. Uveitis does not spread from person to person, even when an infection elsewhere in the body is the cause.
Uveitis is often a sign of something happening in the rest of the body. Tests help find infections or immune conditions that change the treatment you need.
Some types happen once; others recur. Regular follow-up and acting early on symptoms keep recurrences short and protect your vision.
It ranges from a few weeks for a single episode to longer-term treatment for chronic uveitis. I will plan the duration with you based on your type and response.
Physicians and rheumatologists: I welcome referrals and shared care.