According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), uveitis is a general term describing a group of inflammatory diseases that produces swelling and destroys eye tissues. These diseases can slightly reduce vision or lead to severe vision loss.
The term “uveitis” is used because the diseases often affect a part of the eye called the uvea. Nevertheless, uveitis is not limited to the uvea. These diseases also affect the lens, retina, optic nerve, and vitreous, producing reduced vision or blindness.
Uveitis may be caused by problems or diseases occurring in the eye or it can be part of an inflammatory disease affecting other parts of the body.
It can happen at all ages and primarily affects people between 20 and 60 years old.
Uveitis can last for a short (acute) or a long (chronic) time. The severest forms of uveitis reoccur many times.
There are four types of Uveitis: anterior (in the front of the eye), intermediate (in the vitreous), posterior (in the back of the eye) and pan-uveitis (all major parts of the eye).
Uveitis can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms may develop rapidly and can include:
• Blurred vision
• Dark, floating spots in the vision (floaters)
• Eye pain
• Redness of the eye
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
Anyone suffering eye pain, severe light sensitivity, and any change in vision should immediately be examined by an ophthalmologist.
The signs and symptoms of uveitis depend on the type of inflammation.
