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What is Uveitis?
Uveitis is the inflammation of the
Uvea which comprises of Iris, Ciliary
body and Choroid.
What are the signs and symptoms of uveitis?
Signs and symptoms vary greatly
depending on the type of uveitis.
Anterior Uveitis is associated with
eye pain, redness, blurring of vision
and light sensitivity. Intermediate
and Posterior forms of uveitis may
more typically be associated with
floaters, flashes of light and blurred
vision.
What causes Uveitis?
The majority of cases of uveitis
occur without a specific identifiable
cause. In some cases however, an
underlying health condition may
be present.
Underlying causes of uveitis may
be broadly categorized as autoimmune
disorders, infections, trauma, malignancy
or other causes.
Classification of uveitis
Depending upon the anatomic location
of the inflammation within the eye,
uveitis can be classified as:
- Anterior uveitis (front
compartment)
- Intermediate uveitis (middle
compartment)
- Posterior uveitis (rear
compartment)
- Pan uveitis (multiple compartment)
The disease is also classified by
its time course as:
- Acute uveitis (discrete,
time-limited episode)
- Recurrent uveitis (multiple
acute episodes with resolution
of inflammation in between episodes)
- Chronic uveitis ( ongoing
long-term inflammation with
incomplete resolution)
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How is uveitis diagnosed?
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Thorough eye examination is needed.
Abattery of tests may also be needed
to identify the underlying cause
like Auto immune disorders, infections
and trauma, like blood-tests, X-rays,
scans, etc.
How is uveitis treated?
Treatment is aimed at controlling
the inflammation and relieving the
eye of pain and other symptoms.
Topical drugs are prescribed with/without
oral corticosteroids, depending
on the type of uveitis.
The treatment is always aimed to
treat the underlying cause where
identifiable.
What are the complications of Uveitis?
Cataract, glaucoma and macular edema
(retinal swelling) are common complications
of uveitis. Other complications
include calcific deposits on the
cornea (band shaped keratopathy)
and shrinkage of the globe with
loss of vision.
What is the prognosis?
Most patients with acute uveitis
do not lose vision and treatment
is aimed at controlling the inflammation
to prevent any visual loss. The
main causes of visual loss in patients
with chronic uveitis are cataract,
glaucoma or damage to the back of
the eye from high pressure inside
the eye, and macular edema or 'waterlogging'
of the retina due to the chronic
inflammation. All these conditions
are treatable.
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