Book Appointment
Book Appointment

Phone No.

+91 7506987070

Email Us.

myvisionandbeyond@gmail.com

Book Appointment

Treatments

  • Home
  • Dr. Akash jain

Uveitis

Uveitis: The Hidden Inflammation That Can Steal Your Sight

Uveitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the uvea—the middle layer of the eye that includes the iris (colored part of the eye), ciliary body, and choroid. However, uveitis can also involve adjacent structures like the retina, optic nerve, and vitreous.

Often called the “invisible eye disease,” uveitis can strike at any age and progress silently, leading to blurred vision, eye pain, redness, floaters, and, if untreated, irreversible vision loss.

What makes uveitis challenging is that it can be a standalone eye condition or a sign of an underlying systemic disease like autoimmune disorders, infections, or inflammatory syndromes.

Types of Uveitis
Depending on which part of the eye is inflamed, uveitis is classified into:
Anterior Uveitis (Iritis)
  • Involves the iris and front part of the eye (anterior chamber).
  • Most common and often linked to autoimmune conditions.
Intermediate Uveitis
  • Involves the ciliary body and vitreous (gel inside the eye).
  • Often associated with systemic diseases like multiple sclerosis or sarcoidosis.
Posterior Uveitis
  • Affects the choroid and retina.
  • Frequently linked with infections like toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, or systemic inflammatory conditions.
Panuveitis
  • When all layers of the uvea are inflamed.
  • Seen in diseases like Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome or Behçet’s disease.
Causes of Uveitis
  • Autoimmune Diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Lupus, Sarcoidosis, Behçet’s disease.
  • nfections: Tuberculosis (TB), Syphilis, Toxoplasmosis, Herpes, CMV, HIV.
  • Post-Surgical or Traumatic Inflammation.
  • Idiopathic (Unknown Cause): In many cases, no specific cause is found.
Symptoms of Uveitis
  • Redness of the eye.
  • Eye pain or discomfort.
  • Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
  • Blurred or hazy vision.
  • Floaters (small moving spots in vision).
  • Decreased vision.
Note: Symptoms can vary depending on the type and severity of uveitis.
Why Uveitis Needs Immediate Attention

Uveitis is not just about eye inflammation; if left unchecked, it can lead to severe complications like:

  • Cataracts
  • Glaucoma (raised eye pressure).
  • Macular edema (retinal swelling).
  • Retinal detachment.
  • Permanent optic nerve damage and blindness.

Early diagnosis and aggressive management are crucial to preserve vision and prevent relapses.

Uveitis Diagnosis at Vision & Beyond

A thorough and systematic evaluation is vital to identify the cause and extent of uveitis:

  • Detailed Slit-Lamp Examination: To detect inflammation cells, keratic precipitates, and synechiae.
  • Dilated Fundus Examination: For retinal and optic nerve assessment.
  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): To detect macular edema or retinal structural damage.
  • Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA): To study retinal blood vessel leakage or blockages.
  • OCT Angiography (OCTA): Non-invasive imaging of retinal and choroidal vessels.
  • B-scan Ultrasonography: When media clarity is poor.
  • Laboratory Investigations: Blood tests for autoimmune markers, infections (TB, syphilis, toxoplasmosis), and inflammatory markers.
  • Chest X-Ray/HRCT Chest: For sarcoidosis, TB.
  • Mantoux Test/QuantiFERON-TB Gold: For tuberculosis screening.
Treatment Options for Uveitis

The treatment of uveitis is personalized based on its cause, severity, and response:

Steroid Therapy (Anti-Inflammatory)
  • Eye Drops: For mild anterior uveitis.
  • Oral Steroids / Intravenous Pulse Steroids: For moderate to severe cases.
  • Periocular Steroid Injections: For intermediate or posterior uveitis.
  • Intravitreal Steroid Implants: For chronic cases.
Immunosuppressive & Immunomodulatory Therapy (IMT)
  • For patients who are steroid-dependent or have systemic autoimmune diseases.
  • Includes medications like Methotrexate, Azathioprine, Mycophenolate, Cyclosporine.
Biologic Agents
  • Advanced therapies targeting specific immune pathways.
  • Includes Anti-TNF agents (Infliximab, Adalimumab) for refractory cases.
Anti-Infective Treatments
  • Antitubercular therapy (ATT) for TB-related uveitis.
  • Antiviral, antibacterial, or antiparasitic medications for infectious uveitis.
Management of Complications
  • Anti-Glaucoma medications or surgery for raised intraocular pressure.
  • Cataract surgery when lens opacities develop.
  • Vitrectomy surgery for non-resolving vitreous opacities or retinal complications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Is Uveitis a Serious Condition?

    Yes, uveitis can lead to permanent vision damage if not treated early and adequately. It requires close monitoring and often long-term follow-up.

  • Can Uveitis Recur?

    Unfortunately, yes. Uveitis can be a chronic relapsing condition, especially if linked to autoimmune diseases. Regular follow-up helps in early detection of flare-ups.

  • Is Uveitis Contagious?

    Uveitis itself is not contagious. However, if it is due to infections like tuberculosis, syphilis, or herpes, appropriate precautions and systemic treatment are needed.

  • Do all Uveitis patients need systemic medications?

    No. Mild anterior uveitis may respond well to topical steroid drops and cycloplegic drops. Systemic therapy is reserved for severe, recurrent, or posterior uveitis.

  • Can Uveitis cause blindness?

    If left untreated or if diagnosed late, uveitis can cause severe complications like glaucoma, cataract, macular edema, and optic nerve damage, leading to vision loss. Early diagnosis and consistent treatment are key.

  • Will I need lifelong treatment?

    Not necessarily. Treatment duration depends on the underlying cause, response to therapy, and recurrence pattern. Some patients require long-term immunomodulatory therapy, while others may need intermittent treatment during flare-ups.

  • Can lifestyle changes help in uveitis management?

    While uveitis itself is not preventable through lifestyle, maintaining a healthy immune system, managing systemic diseases like tuberculosis or autoimmune disorders, and regular eye check-ups play a significant role in controlling the disease.M

Takeaway: Uveitis—Act Fast, Save Sight

Uveitis is a vision-threatening inflammatory eye disease that requires a multi-disciplinary approach for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. At Vision & Beyond, we offer comprehensive uveitis care with advanced diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and collaboration with rheumatologists and infectious disease specialists to ensure the best visual outcomes.