What is Uveitis?
By definition Uveitis is an inflammation of a layer of the eye called uvial tract.
Types of Uveitis
There are two types: Acute or Chronic
Acute Uveitis
Usually has a sudden onset and persists for 6 weeks or less.
Chronic Uveitis
It persists for months or years and may be asymptomatic.
Symptoms of Uveitis
- Pain
- Redness
- Decreased vision
- Watering o Inability to open eye in light
- Floaters in the eye
Diagnosis
Blood tests used in the diagnosis of Uveitis are numerous and combined with a careful history and physical examination of the patient, we may be able to know about the underlying cause of Uveitis.
Aims of therapy
Treatment of Uveitis are:
- To prevent any sight threatening complications.
- To make the patient comfortable and relieve him of pain.
- If possible, to find the cause of Uveitis and to treat it.
Medication
Two most commonly used drugs in the treatment are:
- Steroids
- Mydriatic-cycloplegics
Treatment is initiated as soon as the disease is detected to prevent any permanent loss of vision. Hence, any patient with sudden onset of pain and redness should immediately report for an eye examination.
