Uveitis, is the swelling of the tissues(Uveal tissue) inside the eye. Uveitis can happen in either the front or the back part of the eye. In more than half of the cases, uveitis has no specific identifiable cause while other times it’s linked to underlying diseases, which could be due to infections (such as tuberculosis, viral infections) or autoimmune conditions(diseases where body attacks itself), like arthritis or sarcoidosis.
Types of Uveitis
- Anterior Uveitis(Swelling of the front of the eye): Symptoms include eye pain, redness, blurred vision, and light sensitivity.
- Intermediate and Posterior Uveitis(Swelling in the back part of eye): These forms may typically be characterized by floaters, flashes of light, and blurred vision. Gradual and progressive vision decline.
Examination process
A comprehensive examination of the eye is essential to determine the type of uveitis present. This will include detailed clinical examination of the front of the eye followed by dilated examination of the back part of the eye.
This might be followed by optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine angiography (ICG), autofluorescence, and ultrasound B-scan for investigating the details of the back of the eye(Retina, optic nerve). Equally important is identifying any underlying disease if present like autoimmune disorders, infections, trauma, etc which will require systemic evaluation through blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, etc.
Treatment
The treatment for uveitis centres around controlling eye swelling and depends on the affected areas of the eye and the underlying cause. Treatment modalities include medications administered through drops, injections, and oral drugs, including corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. Surgical intervention might be necessary to salvage the eye. Certain forms of uveitis may necessitate collaboration between ophthalmologists and specialists like rheumatologists, infectious disease experts, or oncologists. At DMEH, we boast the finest infrastructure and cutting-edge medical equipment, providing all-encompassing facilities to cater to patients with uveitis and ensure their well-being.