Uveitis

Uveitis






Uveitis is an eye inflammation affecting the middle layer. Uvea is the name of the portion in the eyes that contains ciliary body, choroid and iris. When swelling develops on the iris (iritis) it is called uveitis which is also known by name anterior uveitis. Any trauma or infection to the eyes may cause inflammation of the iris. This condition is serious and has to be treated immediately failing which the person is likely to lose vision permanently.

Causes :

Exact cause of uveitis is unknown. It is believed to be caused due to inflammation due to injury or any infection on the eyes.

Some people believe that uveitis disorder is caused by autoimmune disorder like Behcet’s disease or Sarcoidosis or AIDS. It can also occur due to Crohn’s disease or ulcer. Similarly uveitis may develop due to infectious diseases like Syphilis, Cat Scratch Disease and Tuberculosis. Lymphoma cancer can also affect the eyes causing inflammation.

Symptoms :

The infected eyes become reddish and it can be painful. The eyes become sensitive to light and it may cause blurred vision. You can see debris or dark spots floating on the eyes. It may reduce the regular vision resulting in decreased vision.

For some people signs may develop suddenly and for others it is a slow process. Inflammation or infection may occur in either one eye or both.

Types :

Several types of uveitis are recognized and the names are given according to the area (region) on which there is inflammation.

Anterior uveitis is the inflammation of the iris; posterior uveitis is the swelling of back portion of the eyes called chordia. Intermediary uveitis is the disorder which affects the ciliary body and pan-uveitis is the name given when it affects all the layers present in the uvea.

Who are at risk ?

People whose ancestors have had similar infection like uveitis would have more chance for getting this disorder. Individuals whose immunity is impaired due to health issues and people who suffer from frequent infectious diseases can get uveitis. Any trauma or injury to the eye due to accident can cause uveitis.

Tests :

An ophthalmologist can clearly diagnose the illness when he looks into your eyes. In case of doubt, the case is referred to doctor for assessing the presence of any infection in the body.

Pictures of Uveitis :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Uveitis

Treatment :

Uveitis can easily be corrected when treatment is given in early stage. Several types of treatments are available for managing uveitis.

The doctor would prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs like corticosteroid for controlling the symptoms. Either it will be taken in the form of eye drops or oral pills. In case of severe inflammation, the doctor would use an eye implant device for injecting the medicine into the eyes.

In case the disease is caused due to infection the doctor will give antibiotics to control it. For some cases, cytotoxic drugs are given to control uveitis in case the infection does not respond to corticosteroid medicines.

In rare case, surgery is done to take out the gel from the infected eyes. This procedure is called vitrectomy.

Uveitis – Symptoms, Causes, Pictures and Treatment

Uveitis – Symptoms, Causes, Pictures and Treatment

What is Uveitis?

This is inflammation of the uvea which is the vascular coating of the eye which is between the retina and the white or sclera of the eye. This uvea outspreads toward the front of the eye and contains the iris, choroid layer and ciliary body. The more common kind of uveitis is an inflammation of the iris called irtis or anterior uveitis.

Uveitis is swelling as well as irritation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. The uvea delivers most of the blood supply to the retina which are dire for vision.

Injury, infections as well as autoimmune disorders can be linked with the development of uveitis, but the exact cause is really unknown.

Uveitis can be very serious, and can lead to permanent vision loss. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital to prevent any complications of uveitis.

Uveitis Symptoms

The symptoms, signs and appearances of uveitis include:

• Redness of the eye


• Pain in the eye


• Sensitivity to light


• Vision which is blurred


• Dark, floating spot in the field of vision known as floaters


• Vision decreased


• Whitish area or hypopyon inside the lower part of the colored area of the eye or iris

The site of uveitis varies and is described by where in the eye it occurs.

• Anterior uveitis affects the front of the eyes called the iritis


• Posterior uveitis affects the back of the eye


• Intermediary uveitis occurs in the jelly-like matter in the center of the eye – vitreous


• Panuveitis occurs when all layers of the uvea are inflamed

Symptoms can occur very suddenly as well as rapidly worsen, but in some cases, the symptoms develop very gradually. Symptoms can be noted in one or both eyes.

An individual needs to contact their physician if they believe they have symptoms of uveitis. The physician can refer the individual to an ophthalmologist or eye specialist. If the individual is having significant pain in the eye and new vision problems, seeking medical attention promptly is most appropriate.

Uveitis Causes

The main causes of uveitis often cannot be determined. But in some individuals uveitis is linked with:

• Autoimmune disorders for instance Rheumatoid Arthritis or Ankylosing Spondylitis


• Inflammatory disorders for instance Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis


• Infections such as herpes, cat-scratch disease, Toxoplasmosis, Syphilis, Tuberculosis or West Nile virus.


• Injury of the eye


• Various cancers for instance lymphoma, that have indirect effect on the eye

If left untreated, the condition may cause some of the following complications:

You're reading Uveitis – Symptoms, Causes, Pictures and Treatment posted by minhhai2d, the information is for reference only.

• High pressure which is abnormal inside the eye – Glaucoma


• Optic nerve damage


• Clouding of the lens – cataract or cornea


• Problems with the retina such as fluid within the retina or detached retina


• Loss of vision.

Uveitis Treatment

When visiting your ophthalmologist or eye specialist, the physician will more than likely conduct a total eye exam as well as gather a thorough health history.

If the ophthalmologist believes that a causal problem is the reason for the development uveitis, he/she may refer the individual to another physician for a very general medical examination as well as laboratory tests. It is difficult to find a specific cause of uveitis. But, an effort will be made determine whether the uveitis has an infectious cause or results from some other condition.

If uveitis develops because of an underlying problem, treatment/management will need to focus on that precise causal problem. The aim of treatment is to lessen the inflammation of the eye.

Uveitis Management

Drugs which are anti-inflammatory
The physician can recommend anti-inflammatory drugs, such as a corticosteroid, to manage uveitis. This medicine can be prescribed as eyedrops. The physician could also order a corticosteroid by inoculation into the eye or by pill. For individuals with hard-to-treat posterior uveitis, there is a device that is implanted in the eye as one possibility. This device issues corticosteroid medicine gradually into the eye for about 2 ½ years.

Antiviral or Antibiotic drugs
If uveitis is triggered by an infection, antiviral drugs, antibiotics, or other drugs can be given with or without corticosteroids so as to bring this infection under control.

Cytotoxic or Immunosuppressive medication
Cytotoxic or immunosuppressive agents can become essential if the uveitis reacts poorly to corticosteroids or if it develops severe enough to be a peril to the vision.

Surgery
Vitrectomy which is a procedure to get rid of some of the jelly-like matter in the eye – vitreous – may be desirable both for diagnosis as well as the management of uveitis. A tiny sample of the vitreous may help to identify an exact reason of this eye inflammation, such as bacterium or virus. This surgical procedure can also be used to eliminate any scar tissue evolving in the vitreous.

The area of the eye affected by uveitis – either the back (posterior) or the front (anterior) of the uvea can govern how fast the eye heals. Posterior uveitis tends to heal much slower than the anterior uveitis, and a really severe inflammation will typically takes even longer to heal than a more mild case of inflammation.

Uveitis can reoccur. An individual needs to make a visit with their physician if any of the symptoms return after treatment which has been successful.

Uveitis Pictures

Pictures of Uveitis