Uveitis: The Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
Uveitis is the inflammation of the central layer of the eye, which is also called as uvea or uveal tract. The term uveitis is loosely used for any irritation of the interior of the eye. The uvea comprises altogether the iris, the choroid of the eye, and the ciliary body. Inflammation of the iris, now known as anterior uveitis, is the most common type of uveitis. The uvea is located in the center of the eye, in between the sclera and the retina. It is responsible for supplying blood to the retina.
Uveitis is an uncommon condition, which generally occurs in middle-aged people, but anyone can suffer from it, and 10% of uvetis victims are children. Eyesight loss may occur when scars arise on the choroid and retina and the disease is left untreated. Vision loss also occurs when issues of the uveitis by itself or steroid treatment results in cataract, macular oedema and high intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting in glaucoma.
Causes of uveitis
In many cases of uveitis the reason is unknown, and the uveitis is said to be idiopathic. However, we are aware of some situations and circumstances that can result in uveitis.
The below factors may further the possible risk of developing uveitis:
1. Autoimmune disorders like JIA/JRA, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis etc 2. A blow to the eye or surgery which may have lead to an injury (traumatic uveitis) 3. AIDS, syphilis and herpes which destabilize the immune system. 4. Infection 5. Few cancers, like lymphoma, that have an indirect effect on the eye.
Symptoms of Uveitis
1. Blurred vision 2. Eye pain 3. Cloudy vision 4. Redness of the eye 5. Common vision issues 6. Abnormal sensitivity to the eye or Photophobia 7. Change in the color of the iris 8. Pupils fail to dilate/constrict due to scar tissue
It is vital to note that children with JIA/JRA related uveitis tend not to have any signs and symptoms until vision loss takes place.
Treatment of Uveitis
Treatment of uveitis normally comprises of a prescribed steroid of some kind, to reduce the swelling. Your doctor may prescribe steroid drops, injections or pills based on the area of the uvea affected. Your doctor may use dilating drops to dilate the pupil, lessening spasms of the muscles of the pupil and decreasing pain, but also avoiding the lens from sticking. Your doctor may even prescribe drops to decrease the strain in the eye.
If an infection is found out, the patient will be prescribed either an antibiotic or an antiviral medicine to limit the infection. Corticosteroids might be given in combination. This steroid medicine might be given as eye drops, tablets or by injecting inside the eye. It is imperative to rule out corneal ulcers by Florescence Dye Test (FDT) before giving corticosteroids.
Where steroids are not effective, or the uveitis becomes chronic, immunosuppressant treatment can be considered. Methotrexate is helpful for around 60% of patients, particularly when used in conjunction with Ciclosporin or Tacrolimus. A substitute to methotrexate is Cellcept. Few sufferers do not respond to these drugs and biologics like Humira or Remicade may be considered.
Usually, with swift and correct treatment together with close monitoring the chances of problems arising can be reduced. In case any issue arises, they may include
1. Retinal detachment 2. Eyesight loss 3. Scar tissue 4. Macular edema 5. Cataracts 6. Glaucoma
If you happen to have any of the above signs and symptoms of uveitis, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor, especially if there is pain or blurred vision. If uveitis is identified it is significant to be treated by an ophthalmologist who is specialized in uveitis, not one with a passing interest. An ocular immunologist is a specialist who is further qualified to treat with and prescribe immunosuppressant medicines. It’s vital to have a check-up of your eyes on a regular basis even if you are not suffering from the above signs and symptoms, as your optician may be in a position to spot any early signs of disease before you become aware of any obvious symptoms of uveitis.
What is Uveitis? Uveitis means inflammation of the uvea, the inside of the eye, which is made up of three main parts: the iris, the ciliary body and the choroid. Visit the site https://www.oliviasvision.org to know more about anterior uveitis.