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Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea ( the middle lining of the eye) which usually occurs in patients between the ages of 20 and 50 years old. It is not uncommon though for it to be detected in children or the elderly.
The inflammation can occur in either the front or back of the eye or even both and can affect both eyes.
In the vast majority of cases doctors are unsure as to what causes Uveitis. On occasion it can be due to an infection or an abnormal immune system.
It can be triggered in some patients by inflammation of other parts of the body so cause is usually determined via x-rays and/ or blood tests.
The first visible symptom a patient will experience is inflammation in the iris. This is called Iritis.
Patients will feel some pain the eye will become red and they may be photo-sensitive. Eye floaters are common and all the symptoms can add to poor vision.
In most patients particularly in those with inflammation affecting the front of the eye, it is unlikely that they will suffer permanent damage to their damage. The main complications can affect the vision are cataracts and glaucoma.
If the inflammation is in the front of the eye then eye drops have always proved effective, The drops are steroids which stop the inflammation dilating drops increase the size of the pupil to reduce the pain and prevent complications.
If the inflammation is in the back of the eye ( causing poor vision ) steroid tablets can be prescribed as the eye drops would not penetrate the back of the eye.
Those patients affected in the front of the eye may find they get recurring bouts either in the same eye or it switching from one to the other.
It can disappear completely but take many years, so continued treatment would be required.