With October being Uveitis Awareness Month, we thought that now would be a great time to answer some key questions surrounding this rare but impactful illness, including what uveitis is and what causes it.
Here’s what to know about uveitis, including a quick look at how it’s treated.
Uveitis is a condition where the middle layer of the eye (the uvea) is inflamed. This inflammation can occur in one or both eyes, and can also evolve to affect other parts of the eye.
The uvea is located between the white part of the eye (the sclera) and the retina, which is at the very back of the eyeball. It is composed of three different but equally essential parts: the iris, the ciliary body (responsible for helping the lens focus), and the choroid (the connective tissue between the sclera and the retina). Uveitis can impact one or more of these parts, though the most common type of uveitis, called anterior uveitis, affects only the iris and tends to be less severe than other types.
As you might expect, inflammation inside the eye can be incredibly uncomfortable. If left untreated, it can also lead to vision loss. For this reason, it’s crucial to know what the signs and symptoms of uveitis are, how you can protect your uvea from inflammation, and the long-term damage it can cause.
Uveitis does not have one single cause. Instead, various illnesses can all be precursors to the condition, including autoimmune diseases like lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Other potential causes of uveitis include infections like shingles, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, or cancers that can affect the eye, such as blood cancers like lymphoma.
If you’re aware of the symptoms of uveitis, you’re more likely to seek out professional help at the first sign of trouble. This is key as uveitis symptoms can appear suddenly and without much (or any) warning.
Uveitis symptoms include:
As noted, the symptoms of uveitis can be localized to one eye. Also worth noting is that these symptoms can all be signs of other eye conditions. The sooner you get help, the sooner you’ll be able to get on an appropriate course of treatment.
There are four types of uveitis, and each can be divided into subtypes. Within these types, you can also have acute uveitis, which lasts six weeks or less, or chronic uveitis, which lasts for more than six weeks.
Symptoms can come on strongly from the outset or may worsen over time. In some cases symptoms will come on fast and disappear, only to come back again later. For those and other reasons, a visit with an eye specialist should be scheduled right away.
Unfortunately, there is no way to completely prevent uveitis, especially if you are otherwise healthy with no pre-existing risk factors. But if you do have a risk factor like an autoimmune disease or certain infections, familiarize yourself with the symptoms noted above so that you can get help at the earliest signs.
To check for uveitis, an eye specialist will perform a simple exam using eye drops to dilate the pupil. From there, they will be able to check for uveitis or another potential cause for the symptoms you are having.
Treatment for uveitis involves steroid medication, which will work to reduce inflammation in the uvea. Steroids can be prescribed in a few different ways depending on what your doctor thinks is best, including eye drops, oral medication, or a small injection. In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend an implant surgery near your eye, which provides a continuous and measured dose of steroid medication over time.
Uveitis cannot be cured at home, but there are things you can do to relieve symptoms while you work with a specialist on a treatment plan. Options include applying a warm or cool compress to the eye and wearing sunglasses if you are experiencing sensitivity to light. Other methods like taking a daily multivitamin, omega-3 supplements, or lutein supplements may be helpful, but you should always discuss this with your doctor first.
If you are experiencing troubling eye symptoms, don’t wait to seek out help. Our Mid Atlantic team is made up of world-renowned retina specialists who can work with you to find relief from eye disorders, including uveitis. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation.
