You have uveitis, also known as iritis, if one or both of your eyes are inflamed, characterized by heat, redness, pain, and swelling. Although it can lead to vision loss, it is treatable. As soon as you notice an issue, consult an eye doctor. Early intervention can help you manage your symptoms and preserve your vision.
The central layer of your eye, called the uvea, gives uveitis its name. It contains the colorful portion of the iris. Other components of your eye, such as the lens or retina, may also be impacted by the inflammation.
Adults between the ages of 20 and 60 are particularly susceptible. The cause and how quickly you receive treatment have a significant impact on how it affects you. It's possible that your vision simply has a few minor issues. Or it can result in significant visual loss. It might be with you for a short while or for a long period. It might keep coming back. If left untreated, it may progress to more severe vision problems including glaucoma or cataracts.
What Causes It?
There are two types:
Infectious uveitis can result from a bacteria or virus in your eye.
Noninfectious uveitis may develop as a result of an illness or ocular injury elsewhere in the body. Since the uvea contains numerous blood veins, any cells or chemicals your immune system produces may travel through your circulation and enter your eye if it is battling an infection in one region. That leads to swelling. You're more prone to get uveitis if you have one of these conditions:
AIDS
Behcet’s syndrome
Shingles
Multiple sclerosis
Psoriatic arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sarcoidosis
Tuberculosis
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn's disease
In some cases, doctors don’t know what causes noninfectious uveitis.
What Are the Symptoms?
Both eyes may be affected or just one. Symptoms could appear suddenly. Visit an eye doctor straight away if you detect any of these:
Change in vision
Dark floating spots (floaters)
Eye pain
Eye redness
Light sensitivity
Swelling
How Is It Diagnosed?
You must visit an eye doctor. They will examine your eyes and inquire about your symptoms by asking you questions like:
Have you had any pain? Where?
How is your vision? Have you noticed any changes?
Is it hard for you to look at lights or be in a bright place?
Does anything make your symptoms better or worse?
Have you injured your eye or your face recently?
Do you have any other medical conditions?
During the eye exam, the doctor will:
Test your vision to see if your eyesight has changed
Measure the pressure in your eye
Widen, or dilate, your pupils so they can look at the back of your eye
Use a microscope and a thin beam of light to check different parts of your eye. This is called a slit lamp exam. They may dilate your eyes or use a special dye to make certain parts easier to see.
To screen for medical disorders that might be connected to uveitis, they may also perform blood tests, X-rays, or other lab testing.
What Should I Ask My Doctor?
What’s causing my uveitis?
Which part of my eye does it affect?
Is my eye damaged?
Do I need more tests?
Do I need to see other doctors?
What are my treatment options?
How will the treatment make me feel?
Will it cure my uveitis?
What if it comes back?
What can I do to protect my sight?
How Is It Treated?
Uveitis must be treated quickly in order to prevent irreversible eye damage or the development of more serious issues like glaucoma or cataracts.
To reduce the pain, redness, and swelling in your eyes, your doctor might prescribe steroid eye drops. Other methods include steroid injections or tablets. The doctor may also advise you to use eye drops like atropine, which widens your pupil and prevents uncomfortable eye spasms. Your vision may become hazy and light-sensitive as a result.
Some varieties of the illness can be treated by doctors using a tiny capsule that distributes steroids into your eye gradually. Usually, this is a long-term case's treatment. These cases frequently affect only one eye. However, this treatment may increase your risk of developing cataracts or glaucoma. Your eye will be implanted during surgery, but you won't need to stay in the hospital. Ask your doctor what to expect if they suggest this course of action.
You run the risk of developing cataracts, stomach ulcers, osteoporosis, diabetes, and weight gain if you take oral steroids for a prolonged period of time. Inquire as to how the procedure might effect you.
There are also medications that suppress your immune system. They are referred to as immunosuppressants by your doctor. You could also use medications to improve your body's natural response to inflammation. The physician may refer to them as biologics. They aren't frequently recommended, but if steroids haven't helped you, your doctor might decide to use them. If you take them, you will have routine blood tests and medical visits to ensure that they are not having any negative side effects.
What Can I Do?
Your eye pain and swelling can be treated, but let your doctor know if you experience any discomfort or changes in your vision.
You must ensure that you receive the proper care if another medical problem contributed to your uveitis.
What Should I Expect?
Everything relies on the underlying reason and how quickly you receive therapy. Uveitis may only affect you once or it may recur frequently. Whatever the situation, medications can lessen discomfort, improve vision, and halt eye degeneration.
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