Uveitis Specialist

What is uveitis?

Uveitis is an eye infection that affects your uvea — the middle part of your eye. Your uvea holds many of the blood vessels that nourish your eyes. Uveitis causes a variety of disruptive symptoms, including:

• Red eyes
• Eye pain
• Light sensitivity
• Blurry vision
• Floaters
• Decreased vision

There are three types of uveitis: Anterior, intermediate, and posterior. Anterior uveitis affects the front of your uvea and can last up to eight weeks. Intermediate uveitis affects the middle part of your uvea, and the symptoms tend to come and go for months or years. Posterior uveitis affects the back of your uvea. It usually develops gradually with symptoms lasting for years. 

What causes uveitis?

In many cases, ophthalmologists can’t identify a specific cause of uveitis. However, you may develop uveitis if you:

• Have had eye surgery or injury
• Have had an infection such as shingles, herpes zoster, or Lyme disease
• Have an autoimmune disorder such as sarcoidosis
• Have an inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Crohn’s disease
• Have cancer like lymphoma that affects the eye

Regardless of the cause of uveitis, it’s essential to get treatment. When left untreated, uveitis can lead to complications such as optic nerve damage and retinal detachment, which can lead to permanent vision loss. 

How is uveitis treated?

Your ophthalmologist at Retina Specialists begins treatment with a comprehensive eye exam and tests to confirm your diagnosis. For example, your doctor may order blood work as well as analysis of fluid from your eye. 

Your Retina Specialists ophthalmologist provides medicated eye drops to fight the infection in your eye. Depending on your specific needs, your eye drops may reduce inflammation, fight bacterial and viral infections, or suppress your immune system. 

In severe cases, your ophthalmologist may recommend a surgical procedure. For example, they may place an implant in your eye to slowly release medication or a vitrectomy to remove damaged vitreous humor gel.

If your uveitis is due to an underlying condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, you should work with your physician to manage your disease and reduce its effects on your eye. 

If you’re concerned about your eye health or think that you have an eye infection like uveitis, call Retina Specialists or schedule a consultation online today.