It is a group of diseases that causes red eyes, pain and inflammation. These affect the uvea, the middle part of the eye. It can affect the anterior and posterior parts of the eye. Uveitis if not treated in time and adequately, will cause permanent blindness and vision loss.
It affects all age group. Females and those between 4th and 6th decade of life are at high risk of developing uveitis. Children are also affected by uveitis, especially with arthritis and other infectious conditions.
The common type of uveitis is anterior uveitis which causes the inflammation in the front part of the eye. Sometimes it is mild and appears suddenly and occasionally resolves over time. Some have chronic, recurring inflammation that resolves with only treatment. High risk is those with arthritis, autoimmune diseases such as idiopathic juvenile arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and herpes infection.
Intermediate uveitis is inflammation in the middle part of the eye. Young adults are at high risk. People with intermediate uveitis have problems focusing for near work, a very subtle symptom to begin with associated with eye pain and redness. It can affect the vitreous as well- which is the gel filling the inner eye.
Posterior uveitis is the least common form but affects the retina, optic nerve and choroid.It affects individually or in combination with different layers being affected. These conditions recur frequently and last months- years and require long term therapy and follow up. Pan uveitis- inflammation occurring in the anterior, middle and posterior parts of the eye.Severe form of the disease spectrum results in permanent loss of vision.
