Definition
Anterior uveitis is inflammation of the middle layer (uvea) of the eye. Care is needed right away to prevent vision loss.
| Normal Anatomy of the Eye |
|
| Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
Causes
In some people, the cause is not known. In others, it may be caused by trauma linked to other health problems, such as:
- Lyme disease
- Syphilis
- Tuberculosis
- Toxoplasmosis
- Herpes viruses
Risk Factors
This problem is more common in people who are 20 to 40 years of age. People who have a specific faulty gene are also at higher risk.
Symptoms
Problems may be:
- Red, sore, and watering eyes
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Changes in pupil shape
| Symptoms of Uveitis—Red, Sore, Watering Eyes |
|
| Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc. |
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. An eye exam will be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.
Treatment
Any underlying causes will be treated. The overall goal of treatment is to ease symptoms until the problem goes away. Options are:
Medications
Medicine may be given to:
- Eye drops to widen the pupils in order to ease pain
- Corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to ease inflammation
- Lower pressure in the eye
Rarely, people who are not helped by these methods may need surgery.
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Association of Optometrists https://opto.ca
Canadian Ophthalmological Society http://www.cos-sco.ca
References
Anterior uveitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/anterior-uveitis. Accessed August 17, 2021.
Facts about uveitis. National Eye Institute (NEI) website. Available at: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/uveitis. Accessed August 17, 2021.
Iritis overview. Iritis Organization website. Available at: http://www.iritis.org. Accessed August 17, 2021.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board James Cornell, MD
- Review Date: 07/2021
- Update Date: 08/17/2021