
Uveítis
22 June 2020
Uveitis is an inflammation and swelling in the layer of the eye called the uvea. It can cause damage to the eye tissue, leading to permanent loss of vision.
Among the symptoms are:
- Redness
- Light sensitivity
- Eye pain
- Blurry vision
- Sudden appearance of vision of flying flies, floats or clouds moving in the visual field.
Among the types of uveitis are:
Anterior uveitis: involves inflammation of the front of the eye. It starts suddenly and the symptoms can last for weeks - some are constant and others disappear and come back.
Central or intermediate uveitis: it is the inflammation of the narrow area located between the iris and the choroid. Symptoms can last from a few weeks to many years. This variant can be cyclical, sometimes it improves and sometimes it worsens.
Posterior uveitis: is the inflammation of the choroid (the layer of blood vessels and connective tissue between the white part of the eye and the retina). If the retina is also affected, it is called chorioretinitis. It can cause loss of vision of varying intensity, depending on the size and location of the scar. If the central part of the retina, called the macula, is affected, central vision deteriorates. It can manifest gradually and can last for years.
Uveitis can cause the following complications, if not treated:
waterfalls
Retinal detachment
Glaucoma
Intraocular hemorrhages
Fluid in the retina (cystic macular edema)
Vision loss
Uveitis must be treated immediately to avoid long-lasting problems. Red eye that does not resolve quickly should be urgently evaluated and treated by an ophthalmologist.