What is Uveitis?
What is uveitis?
A sheath of 3 layers surrounds a gel-like substance in the middle of the eyeball. The middle layer is the uveal tract. Inflammation of the choroid of the eye is called uveitis. Uveitis can affect all or one of the layers of the eye, which we call the choroid, which consists of the iris, choroid, and ciliary body.
The uveal tract is now recognized as a separate ophthalmic specialty. The diagnosis and treatment of diseases associated with the uveal tract are supported by ever-increasing advances in immunology and genetics.
Early diagnosis and regular follow-up are important. Under these conditions, the injured eye can be saved in most cases.
Even if the treatment is completed, the patient should be observed at least once every three months. Since the disease may recur without symptoms, monitoring should not be interrupted. It is important to inform the ophthalmologist about the various symptoms associated with other organs. For example, sores in the mouth, spots on the skin, rheumatic symptoms, etc.
Uveitis is an extremely complex disease and can progress differently in each patient. Treatment is individual, as is the course of the disease. During treatment, the dose of the drug should be determined by the doctor.
Causes of uveitis
In 30-40% of patients with uveitis, the cause of the disease cannot be precisely determined. Uveitis can be caused by factors such as viruses, fungi, and parasites, or it can occur as a manifestation in the eyes of another disease in the body. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the disease with the help of various tests. In addition, uveitis can occur in the presence of systemic diseases, which we define as diseases associated with collagen tissues and diseases of autoimmune origin. Examples of this are Behcet's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
What diseases can cause uveitis?
- Behçet's disease
- Diseases of the immune system
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn's disease
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Rheumatic diseases in adults and children
- Infections such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi (tuberculosis, syphilis, herpes, toxoplasmosis, etc.)
- Eye injury
Uveitis is an extremely complex disease and can progress differently in each patient. Treatment is individual, as is the course of the disease. With the treatment being used, the dose of the drug should be determined by doctors who are experts and have experience in the treatment of uveitis.
Symptoms of uveitis
When uveitis occurs in the anterior part of the eye, symptoms include redness of the eye, blurred vision, pain around the eyes, sensitivity to light, and flying flies during severe periods. If the uveitis is intense in the posterior region of the eye, the symptoms are mainly manifested as blurred vision. If uveitis affects the visual center, there is a sudden loss of vision and permanent loss of vision due to tissue damage. The main symptoms of uveitis occurring outside the central region are:
- Hemorrhage in the eyes
- Lachrymation
- Sensitivity to light and glare
- Spotty and blurry vision or severe vision loss
- Sudden flashes of light
- Pain in the eyeball
Types of uveitis
- Located in front
- Intermediate
- Located at the rear
How is uveitis diagnosed?
Regardless of the severity, uveitis is a medical emergency. If its treatment is delayed, the disease progresses and can cause side effects that do not go away, such as pupil deformity, cataracts, and increased eye pressure due to inflammation. The first thing to do when symptoms appear is to be examined by an ophthalmologist experienced in the treatment of uveitis. A late first examination can lead to irreversible loss of vision.
Some types of uveitis are typical and can be diagnosed immediately. Even in these cases, advanced techniques such as angiography, ultrasound, and ERG may be required to understand how much vision is being compromised and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment if the back of the eye is affected. For example, angiography performed using a dye called ICG (indocyanine green) can provide direct diagnostic information about the disease in suspected cases. Then you can conduct joint research with rheumatologists, pulmonologists, dermatologists, and neurologists.
Behcet's disease is a disease that manifests itself as recurrent ulcers in the mouth and genital area and causes uveitis in the eyes. However, Behçet's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect almost every system in the body, affecting the joints, large and small vessels, the respiratory system, the central nervous system, and the digestive system. The signs and symptoms of the disease appear as flare-ups in the affected organs, and although some symptoms persist for a long time, there are periods, which vary from person to person, when the lesions are not visible and the person has no complaints.
Prepared by the Dünyagöz Hospital Editorial Board.
*The content of this page is for informational purposes only. See your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Last Update Date: 09.06.2023
