Uveitis: Symptoms, Causes, Tests & Treatment

Overview

The uvea is the middle layer of the eye, made up of the iris, ciliary body and choroid, and is rich in blood vessels. Uveitis refers to inflammation of any part of this layer and is classified as anterior (affecting the front of the eye), intermediate, posterior (affecting the retina and choroid), or panuveitis (affecting the whole eye).

Uveitis can occur as an isolated eye problem or as part of a wider autoimmune or infectious condition affecting other parts of the body. It can be a single episode or recur over time, and prompt treatment is important because ongoing inflammation can damage delicate eye structures.

Symptoms

• Eye pain, often worsened by light (photophobia)
• Redness of the eye, typically around the coloured part (iris)
• Blurred vision
• Floaters (small spots or threads drifting in vision)
• Watering of the eye
• In posterior uveitis, vision changes may be more prominent than pain or redness

Causes

• Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or sarcoidosis
• Infections, including tuberculosis, herpes viruses, and certain other systemic infections
• Eye injury or previous eye surgery
• Idiopathic — in a significant proportion of cases, no specific cause is identified despite thorough evaluation

Risk Factors

• Known autoimmune or systemic inflammatory disease
• History of tuberculosis or other chronic infections
• Previous episodes of uveitis
• Eye trauma or intraocular surgery
• Certain genetic markers associated with autoimmune eye disease

When to See a Doctor

See an ophthalmologist urgently for eye pain with redness and light sensitivity, sudden blurred vision, or new floaters, particularly if there is a known history of autoimmune disease, tuberculosis, or previous uveitis episodes.

Uveitis needs prompt treatment; delays can allow inflammation to damage the lens, drainage angle, or retina, so same-day assessment is recommended for these symptoms.

Diagnosis

Uveitis is diagnosed with a detailed eye examination to identify the type and location of inflammation, often followed by targeted blood and imaging tests to look for an underlying systemic cause.

Tests

• Slit lamp examination to assess inflammation in the front of the eye and measure eye pressure
• Dilated retina examination for intermediate, posterior or panuveitis
• Fundus photography with the Remidio fundus camera to document retinal/choroidal involvement
• Targeted blood investigations and, where indicated, referral to a physician/rheumatologist to identify an underlying systemic cause
• Coordination with a visiting retina consultant for detailed posterior segment cases

Treatment Options

Treatment addresses both the eye inflammation and, where relevant, any underlying systemic condition, and is tailored to the type and severity of uveitis.

• Steroid eye drops for anterior uveitis, along with drops to keep the pupil comfortable and prevent complications
• Pupil-dilating drops to reduce pain and prevent the iris from sticking to the lens
• Systemic anti-inflammatory or disease-specific treatment for intermediate, posterior or recurrent uveitis, coordinated with the relevant specialist
• Treatment of an underlying infection (such as tuberculosis) when identified as the cause
• Regular monitoring of eye pressure and the lens, since both glaucoma and cataract are recognised complications of uveitis and its steroid treatment

Expected Outcomes

Most cases of uveitis respond well to timely anti-inflammatory treatment, with inflammation settling over days to weeks. Some patients experience recurrent episodes, particularly with an underlying autoimmune condition, and benefit from long-term follow-up to manage flares early and prevent complications.

Why Choose Dr. Murkute's O2 Bone & Eye Care

• Prompt evaluation of painful, red eyes by Dr. Dipti Murkute (Pansare), MBBS, DNB Ophthalmology, FICO (UK)
• Thorough anterior and posterior segment assessment using the slit lamp and fundus photography
• Coordinated referral pathway with physicians and a visiting retina consultant for systemic or posterior segment involvement
• Careful monitoring for glaucoma and cataract, recognised complications of uveitis
• Convenient Kharadi location for patients across East Pune