Inflammation of the uvea, characterized by irregularly shaped pupil, tearing, pain, pus discharge, and opaqueness. Infection, allergic response, or trauma may cause it, or it may occur as a complication of certain diseases (e.g., diabetes mellitus). Treatment depends on the cause.
Inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. The uvea includes the iris (the colored part of the eye), the ciliary body (which lies behind the iris), and the choroid (which supports the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye). Since the uvea contains large numbers of blood vessels that nourish the eye, inflammation can threaten sight. Symptoms, which can come on suddenly or develop slowly, include sensitivity to light, blurred vision, pain, and redness. The disease has many possible causes, including viral infections. Treatment, which aims to relieve pain and preserve vision, may include corticosteroid medications in eye drops, pills, or injections, and antibiotics. Any underlying disease will also be treated.
Inflammation of any part of the uveal tract of the eye, either the iris (iritis), ciliary body (cyclitis), or choroid (choroiditis). Inflammation confined to the iris and ciliary body, which are commonly inflamed together, is called anterior uveitis; that confined to the choroid is termed posterior uveitis. In general, the causes of anterior and posterior uveitis are different; anterior uveitis (unlike choroiditis) is usually painful. All types may lead to visual impairment, and uveitis is an important cause of blindness. In most cases the disease appears to originate in the uveal tract itself, but it may occur secondarily to disease of other parts of the eye, particularly of the cornea and sclera.
Inflammation of the uveal tract. Iritis is inflammation of the iris; cyclitis, inflammation of the ciliary body; and choroiditis, inflammation of the choroid. The symptoms and signs vary according to which part of the uveal tract is involved and tend to be recurrent. The patient may experience varying degrees of discomfort or pain, with or without blurring of vision. In many cases a cause is never found. Some known associations include various types of arthritis, some bowel diseases, virus illnesses, tuberculosis, syphilis, parasites and fungi. Treatment is with anti-inflammatory drops and occasionally steroid tablets, plus drops to dilate the pupil.
A nonspecific term for any intraocular inflammatory disorder. The uveal tract structures iris, ciliary body, and choroid are usually involved, but other non-uveal parts of the eye, including the retina and cornea, may be involved.
Uveitis is the inflammation of the uvea, which can impact various sections such as the iris (referred to as iritis), the ciliary body (known as cyclitis), or the choroid (termed choroiditis). This condition has the potential to significantly impair vision.
The primary factor often stems from an autoimmune disorder, frequently linked to joint issues. Additional causes encompass infections like tuberculosis and syphilis.
Management involves the use of corticosteroid medications to alleviate inflammation, alongside the application of eye drops containing a substance akin to atropine. This substance obstructs nerve signals to the muscles within the iris and ciliary body. The inflammatory process is tracked using a slit-lamp examination. In cases of infection, alternative medications might be prescribed.