Uveitis

Diagnosis

When visiting an eye specialist, a thorough eye exam and health history are typically performed. The examination may include:

• Assessment of vision and pupil response to light, often with glasses if normally worn.

• Tonometry to measure intraocular pressure, sometimes using numbing eye drops.

• Slit-lamp examination to magnify and illuminate the front of the eye, identifying microscopic inflammatory cells.

• Ophthalmoscopy (funduscopy) to examine the back of the eye after pupil dilation.

Additional tests may include:

• Color photography of the inside of the eye

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging to map the retina and choroid

• Fluorescein angiography or indocyanine green angiography to visualize blood vessels using a dye delivered through an IV

• Analysis of aqueous or vitreous eye fluid

• Blood tests

• Imaging tests, including radiography, CT, or MRI

If an underlying condition is suspected, referral to another healthcare professional may be necessary for further evaluation. In many cases, the exact cause of uveitis may not be identified, but treatment can still control inflammation and prevent complications.

Treatment

Treatment aims to reduce inflammation in the eye and, if necessary, in other parts of the body. The duration of treatment may last from months to years depending on severity.

Medicines

• Anti-inflammatory medicines: Corticosteroid eye drops, injections, or oral tablets to reduce swelling.

• Medicines that control eye spasms: Eye drops that widen the pupil to relieve pain.

• Antibiotics or antiviral medicines: Prescribed if an infection causes uveitis, sometimes combined with corticosteroids.

• Immunosuppressive medicines: Used if uveitis affects both eyes, is severe, or does not respond to corticosteroids. Regular follow-up and blood tests are needed due to potential side effects.

Surgery or other procedures

• Vitrectomy: Rarely used to remove part of the vitreous for diagnosis or management.

• Medicine-releasing implant: Slowly releases corticosteroids into the eye for hard-to-treat posterior uveitis. May cause cataracts or require monitoring for increased eye pressure or glaucoma.

The speed of recovery varies with the type of uveitis:

• Posterior uveitis or panuveitis (including retinitis or choroiditis) tends to heal more slowly.

• Anterior uveitis or iritis usually resolves faster.

Uveitis can recur. Seek medical attention if symptoms reappear or worsen to prevent complications and protect vision.