What is uveitis?
The eye is shaped much like a tennis ball, with the center of the sphere filled with colloid and surrounded by three different layers of tissue. The innermost layer is the retina, which senses light and transmits images to the brain. The middle layer between the sclera and the retina is called the uvea. The outermost layer is the sclera, which is what we can see as the white wall of the eye. Uveitis, as the name implies, is an inflammation of the uvea.
What are the important roles of the uvea?
The uvea is rich in blood vessels – arteries, veins and capillaries – and is the most vascular part of the eye. These vessels carry fresh blood to the eye and carry metabolic blood away from the eye. Because the uvea nourishes many important parts of the eye (such as the retina), uveitis can impair vision.
What are the symptoms of uveitis?
Symptoms of uveitis are as follows.
1. photophobia.
2. blurred vision.
3. pain.
4.Flying mosquitoes.
5. Redness of the eyes.
Uveitis can occur suddenly, with redness, pain, or painless blurred vision.
A simple “red eye” can actually be a serious condition – uveitis – and if your eye becomes red or painful, it is important to see an ophthalmologist immediately for examination and treatment.
What causes uveitis?
There are many different causes of uveitis.
1. Viruses, such as herpes zoster, mumps or herpes simplex virus
2. mycobacteria, such as histoplasmosis
3. parasites, such as toxoplasmosis
4. associated diseases of other parts of the body, such as arthritis, gastrointestinal diseases, or collagen vascular diseases, such as lupus erythematosus
5.Trauma.
6. If you smoke, you should quit smoking. Studies have shown that smoking can increase the likelihood of developing uveitis.
In addition, there are still some cases of uveitis of unknown etiology.
How is uveitis diagnosed?
It is important to have a careful eye examination by an ophthalmologist when symptoms appear. If left untreated, the inflammation in the eye can permanently affect vision and even lead to blindness.
Your ophthalmologist will perform a detailed examination of the various parts of the eye. Your ophthalmologist may also arrange for you to have relevant blood tests, skin tests or X-rays to help confirm the diagnosis.
Since uveitis can be associated with diseases elsewhere in the body, your ophthalmologist will want to know about your overall health and may sometimes recommend a consultation with other related specialists (e.g., immunology, hematology, infection medicine, etc.).
How many types of uveitis are there?
The type of uveitis depends on the area of the eye that is involved.
When the uvea near the front of the eye becomes inflamed, it is called iritis, which develops suddenly and may last 6 to 8 weeks.
If the uvea in the middle of the eye is inflamed, it is called ciliary flatus (or intermediate uveitis). Intermediate uveitis can last for several weeks or even years, during which time it may recur and return again and again.
Inflammation of the uvea at the back of the eye is called posterior uveitis. Posterior uveitis develops slowly and often lasts for many years.
How is uveitis treated?
Uveitis is a serious eye disease that can lead to blindness. It needs to be treated as soon as possible.
Eye drops, especially glucocorticoids and dilating eye drops, can relieve inflammation and pain. For more severe inflammation, oral or injectable medications may need to be given.
Uveitis can lead to the following complications.
1. glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure).
2. cataracts (clouding of the lens)
3. neovascularization (growth of new abnormal blood vessels)
4. retinopathy, including retinal detachment.
These complications may also require treatment with eye drops, conventional surgery or laser surgery.
In summary, if you have a “red eye” that does not clear up quickly, please come to the eye clinic as soon as possible to avoid delaying treatment.