What is Uveitis Inflammation?

Uveitis is the inflammation of the uvea. The eye is made up of three different layers of tissue- the innermost layer is the retina, the middle layer is the uvea, and the outermost layer is the sclera. The uvea contains the veins and arteries that carry blood flow to the eye. Because it nourishes many important parts of the eye, including the retina, inflammation of the uvea, or uveitis, can damage your sight.

Symptoms of uveitis include light sensitivity, pain, redness of the eye, and blurring of vision. Uveitis can come on suddenly either with redness and pain or with a painless blurring of vision.

Uveitis can be caused by many different things. Viral infections, such as herpes, can cause uveitis, as well as fungi such as histoplasmosis or parasites such as toxoplasmosis. Disease in other parts of the body, like arthritis or bacteria such as syphilis are also causes of uveitis. Uveitis can even occur as a result of an eye injury.

Uveitis is a serious condition that can scar the eye and should be treated immediately. Eye drops can help inflammation and pain caused by uveitis. Uveitis can exacerbate existing eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, or neovascularization, so it is important to seek treatment if you believe you have uveitis.