What is Uveitis Eye?
The uvea is the middle layer of the eye which contains much of the eye’s blood vessels. It is located between the sclera, the eye’s white outer coat, and the inner layer of the eye called the retina and is further made up of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid.
Uveitis encompasses a group of inflammatory diseases that produces swelling of the uveal tissues. It is not necessarily limited to the uvea but can also affect the lens, retina, optic nerve, and vitreous, producing reduced vision or blindness.
Uveitis may be caused by problems or diseases occurring in the eye, or it can be part of an inflammatory disease affecting other parts of the body.
It can happen at all ages and primarily affects people between 20-60 years old.
Uveitis can last for a short (acute) or a long (chronic) time. The severest forms of uveitis can reoccur many times.
What are the Symptoms of Uveitis Eye?
Uveitis can affect one or both eyes simultaneously. Symptoms may develop rapidly and can include:
- Blurred vision
- Dark, floating spots/lines in the vision (floaters)
- Eye pain
- Redness of the eye
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
The signs and symptoms of uveitis depend on the type of inflammation.
Acute anterior uveitis may occur in one or both eyes and in adults is characterized by eye pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and redness.
Intermediate uveitis causes blurred vision and floaters. Usually, it is not associated with pain.
Posterior uveitis can produce vision loss. This type of uveitis can only be detected during an eye examination.
What are the Causes of Uveitis Eye?
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to tissue damage, germs, or toxins. It produces swelling, redness, and heat and destroys tissues as certain white blood cells rush to the affected part of the body to contain or eliminate the insult. Any inflammation of the uveal tissue produces Uveitis.
Uveitis may be caused by:
- An attack from the body’s own immune system (autoimmunity)
- Infections or tumors occurring within the eye or in other parts of the body
- Trauma to the eye
- Drugs and toxins
- Most of the times the cause remains unknown which is termed as idiopathic