Eye inflammation - Find a doctor and information

Uveitis cannot be regarded as a holistic complaint. Rather, it combines various symptoms or clinical pictures of the inner eye. Incidentally, uveitis is also commonly referred to as iritis.

Below you will find further information on uveitis and selected doctors for the treatment of eye inflammation

The eyes are a very sensitive organ. If problems occur here, they can manifest themselves not only through redness and pain, but also through impaired vision or increased lacrimation. These complaints are often triggered by inflammatory processes. This inflammatory process is called uveitis. The inner skin of the eye can become inflamed. Despite this generic term, a differentiation is also made for this symptom and the treatment is adapted accordingly so that the symptoms and causes can be combated.

What is uveitis?

Uveitis cannot be regarded as a holistic condition. Rather, it combines various symptoms or clinical pictures of the inner eye. The anatomy is an important point when naming the disease and its various forms. The inner skin of the eye is known as the uvea. This is also divided into individual segments, the iris, the iris and the choroid. Each of these segments can become inflamed in this disease. All three areas can also be affected at the same time.

A basic distinction must be made between different forms:

• Anterior uveitis: This is the variant that occurs particularly frequently. This form is characterized by symptoms that start all at once without being preceded by other accompanying symptoms. The iris and/or iris body are frequently affected.
• Moderate uveitis: In this form, both eyes are often affected by inflammation. Children and adolescents as well as young adults are among the patients in whom it is particularly noticeable.
• Posterior uveitis: When it comes to posterior uveitis, the special anatomy of the eye again plays a role. Here, the choroid is affected, which in turn also supplies the retina via blood vessels. It is therefore not uncommon for the retina to also suffer from an inflammatory process.

What are the symptoms of uveitis?

The symptoms depend on the area affected by the inflammation. As already described, the symptoms of anterior uveitis in particular occur relatively suddenly. This can involve spontaneous onset of pain, severe redness and increased lacrimation. Sensitivity to light is also frequently observed. If the inflammation persists over a certain period of time, vision can also be affected, as shadows or flashes in front of the eye can occur, among other things. Another danger is the clouding of the lens as the disease progresses. This clouding of the lens is also known as cataract.

In contrast, the symptoms of moderate uveitis are often gradual. There may be streaks in front of the eyes similar to those of vitreous opacification. However, if left untreated or unrecognized, further complications can occur in the further course of the disease, which can impair vision as fluid builds up around the macula on the retina. Damage to the retina and glaucoma or cataracts can develop. The symptoms of posterior uveitis are often described as if the affected person has a veil in front of their eyes. As with vitreous opacity, spots or dots may also appear in front of the eye. If the vitreous body is also affected, this condition can also cause damage to the retina, which in the worst case can lead to blindness.

By EyeMD (Rakesh Ahuja, M.D.). - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, Link

A summary of the symptoms of uveitis:

• Redness of the eyes
• pain
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Spots, streaks, dots in front of the eyes
• Tearing of the eyes

The causes of uveitis

There are various causes that can be responsible for the development of uveitis. As with many other inflammatory processes, fungi, bacteria or viruses can cause inflammation. However, other things also play a role: inflammation in the body - for example intestinal inflammation, rheumatic diseases or inflammation of the kidneys - can also lead to one of the forms of uveitis. There is also a form in which the body itself causes the inflammation. This is known as autoimmune uveitis.

How is uveitis diagnosed and treated?

If the symptoms described occur, an ophthalmologist is the first point of contact. In addition to examining the eye, the patient will also be questioned in detail . In this way, possible concomitant diseases that may be involved in the development can be filtered out. During the examination, the doctor can also determine which part of the uvea is affected by the inflammation.

Treatment is usually carried out with eye drops and special ointments. If, for example, bacterial inflammation is present, drops containing antibiotics may also be administered. During treatment, it is important to administer drops that dilate the pupils. The reason: if this is not done, adhesions can occur. If diseases such as rheumatism are present in addition to iritis, these are also treated. In some cases, the administration of cortisone - for example in the form of drops or injections - may also be indicated. If uveitis is treated in time, it heals after several weeks. Particular caution is required in chronic cases.