Uveitis

There are many different conditions that can cause discomfort of the eye; however, some are more serious than others. If you are experiencing eye redness, pain, blurry vision, or decreased vision, you may be suffering from uveitis, a condition that can become very serious. Be sure to visit our office as soon as possible if you are experiencing these symptoms for a proper assessment and treatment plan! Our highly skilled team of eye specialists has the skills and expertise to have you feeling better in no time.

What is Uveitis?

Uveitis most commonly describes the inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, known as the uvea. However, uveitis can also affect other areas of the eye including the lens, retina, vitreous, and optic nerve, causing reduced vision or even blindness. Symptoms may happen suddenly and quickly worsen and may affect both of the eyes. The type of uveitis that you have will depend on the part of the eye that is inflamed.

Common symptoms include:

• Eye redness.
• Pain.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Blurry vision.
• Dark, floating spots in your vision.
• Decreased vision.

What Causes Uveitis?

In many cases, the exact cause of uveitis is not clear. However, it may be caused by an autoimmune or inflammatory disorder, an infection, side effect of a medication, eye injection or surgery, or cancer that affects the eye. Individuals with changes in certain genes may be more likely to develop this condition.

Treatment Options for Uveitis

In cases where uveitis is caused by an underlying condition, treatment may focus on addressing that specific condition. However, treatment is commonly the same regardless of the cause, excluding infections. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the inflammation in the eye. There are many different treatment options available, including:

Medications

• Inflammation-reducing drugs: Eyedrops with a corticosteroid may be prescribed, to treat inflammation in the front of the eye.
• Drugs to control spasms: Eyedrops that dilate the pupil may be used to control iris and ciliary body spasms, which can help with pain and discomfort.
• Immunosuppressive drugs: If uveitis affects both of the eyes and does not respond to corticosteroids, medications that affect the immune system may be necessary.
• Antibiotics: In cases where uveitis is caused by an infection, antibiotics or antiviral medications may be prescribed to bring the infection under control.

Surgery

• Vitrectomy: This procedure is performed to remove some of the vitreous (clear gel in your eye), but used on rare occasions.
• Medication-releasing implant: A device may be implanted into the eye that slowly releases corticosteroids for a couple of years.

Candidates for Uveitis Treatment

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of uveitis, be sure to visit our office so that one of our eye specialists can assess your condition. If you are experiencing significant pain in the eye or unexpected problems with your vision, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Contact Us to Learn More

To learn more about uveitis treatment options or to schedule your initial appointment, contact Eye Care Physicians of New Jersey today! We will be happy to help you in any way that we can.