nWhat is Uveitis & Ocular Inflammation?
Ocular inflammation is swelling and inflammation of the eye tissue as a result of inflamm. The part of the eye that is commonly affected is the middle layer of the eye known as the uvea which consists of the iris, ciliary body and choroid. Inflammation of the uvea is known as uveitis. Uveitis can occur in the front, middle, back and the whole of the eye as well.
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Types of Uveitis
Uveitis may be differentiated based on the part of the uvea that is affected:
- Iritis: Also known as anterior uveitis, iritis affects the iris, the coloured part of the eye that surrounds the pupil.
- Cyclitis: Also known as intermediate uveitis, cyclitis affects the ciliary body, a circular structure behind the iris that changes the shape of the lens to focus your vision.
- Choroiditis: Also known as posterior uveitis, choroiditis affects the choroid, a thin layer in the posterior part of the uvea that contains many tiny blood vessels.
- Diffuse uveitis: This type of uveitis affects all parts of the uvea.
Causes of Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation
Uveitis and ocular inflammation may be caused by:
- Eye trauma
- Infections such as herpes zoster
- Inflammatory disorders such as ulcerative colitis
- Immune disorders
- Cancer (rare occurrence)
Symptoms of Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation
Characteristic symptoms of uveitis and ocular inflammation include:
- Eye pain
- Eye redness
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurring of vision
- Dark sports or floaters in your field of vision
- Decreased vision
Diagnosis of Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation
A diagnosis of uveitis and ocular inflammation would be based on your signs and symptoms, a complete eye examination, blood tests, analysis of fluid from the eye, specialised photography to evaluate retinal blood flow and the presence or absence of fluid within the eye.
Complications of Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation
If left untreated, uveitis and ocular inflammation could result in:
- Vision loss
- Macular oedema
- Retinal detachment
- Scarring of the cornea
- Cataract formation
- Glaucoma