Uveitis

Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye that includes the coloured part (the iris) and other structures that supply blood to the eye. The term also covers inflammation of nearby tissues inside the eye. Because these structures are central to how the eye works, inflammation here can affect vision.

Uveitis is described by the part of the eye mainly involved, such as the front, middle, or back of the eye. It can come on suddenly or develop more slowly, and it may affect one or both eyes. It is an important condition to recognise early, because prompt treatment helps protect sight.

Common symptoms include eye pain or a deep ache, redness, sensitivity to light, blurred or reduced vision, and new floaters or small shapes drifting across your vision. Symptoms can affect one or both eyes and may build up over hours or days.

Seek same-day care from an eye specialist or urgent eye service if you have eye pain, light sensitivity, or any change in your vision such as blurring or flashing, or a very red eye. Sudden loss of vision is an emergency and needs immediate help. Early treatment is important because untreated uveitis can lead to lasting damage and, in some cases, loss of sight.

In many people the cause is not found. Uveitis can result from the immune system mistakenly attacking eye tissue, and it is sometimes linked to autoimmune or inflammatory conditions affecting other parts of the body, such as the joints or bowel.

Other causes include infections, and occasionally injury to the eye. Because uveitis can be associated with conditions elsewhere in the body, doctors may carry out further tests to look for an underlying cause, especially if it is severe, affects both eyes, or keeps coming back.

Uveitis is diagnosed by an eye specialist who examines the eye in detail, usually with a slit lamp, a microscope that shines a bright light into the eye to look for signs of inflammation. They will check your vision and may examine the back of the eye after using drops to widen the pupil.

Because uveitis can be linked to wider health conditions, you may have blood tests or imaging, and sometimes referral to other specialists, to look for an underlying cause. Identifying any associated condition helps guide treatment and reduce the chance of the inflammation returning.

Treatment aims to reduce inflammation, relieve symptoms, and protect vision. Steroid medicine is the mainstay, often given as eye drops for inflammation at the front of the eye, and sometimes as injections around or into the eye, or as tablets for more severe or deeper inflammation. Drops that widen the pupil may also be used to ease pain and prevent some complications.

If uveitis is caused by an infection, treatment targets that infection. When inflammation is hard to control or keeps returning, medicines that calm the immune system may be needed, usually under specialist care. Treatment is closely monitored, both to check the inflammation is settling and to watch for side effects.

Uveitis usually cannot be prevented, but early treatment and good follow-up greatly improve the outlook and help avoid complications such as raised eye pressure, cataract, or lasting damage to vision. Where uveitis is linked to another condition, treating that condition can reduce the chance of it returning.

Many people respond well to treatment and recover good vision, particularly when inflammation at the front of the eye is treated promptly. However, uveitis can come back, and some types are more persistent, so ongoing review by an eye specialist is important. Report any new pain, redness, or change in vision quickly, as this may signal a flare that needs prompt treatment.