Uveitis

Continued... Posterior uveitis is generally a more serious condition, with inflammatory periods lasting as long as a year. In posterior uveitis permanent vision damage may occur even with treatment. Intermediate uveitis (vitritis or plans partitis) is caused by inflammation in the vitreous or fluid portion of the eye. Symptoms of uveitis Symptoms in uveitis are related to which of the uvea’s three structures are affected. Symptoms may have a sudden onset, and pain may not necessarily be present. Symptoms include: Redness Light sensitivity (photophobia) Floaters Blurred vision Pain Triggers and Complications Uveitis may occur as a consequence of trauma to the eye, including eye surgery and infections, or it may occur as part of a generalized inflammatory process in systemic autoimmune diseases. Uveitis is often associated with disorders that have an HLA B27 component, such as ankylosing spondylitis and Reiter’s disease. Complications of uveitis include visual impairment, vision loss, glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal damage. In the United States, uveitis is responsible for about 10 percent of all cases of blindness. Treatment Early treatment is necessary to avoid the risk of permanent vision loss. Treatment options include steroid eye drops, injections, or pills taken orally and eye drops that dilate the pupil and reduce pain. In severe cases, chemotherapeutic immunosuppressants are used to suppress the immune system. ♦ Resources   Uveitis, Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia, August 8, 2006, accessed April 1, 2007. The Uveitis Information Group, Shetland Isles, Royal National Institute of the Blind The copyright © of the article Uveitis in Autoimmune Disease is owned by Elaine Moore. Permission to republish Uveitis in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.