Uveitis

What is it?

The eye is made up of three layers and uveitis is inflammation of the middle layer called the uvea, which makes up the iris and produces the fluid that keeps the eyeball spherical. It can cause eye pain and changes to your vision.

It’s most common in people aged 20 to 59, but it can also affect some children too.

What are the symptoms?

Eye pain, eye redness, sensitivity to light, blurred or cloudy vision, floaters and loss of peripheral vision. The symptoms can develop suddenly or gradually over a few days. One or both eyes can be affected by the condition.

What causes uveitis?

Many cases of uveitis are linked to a problem with the immune system, which can become overactive. Less often, uveitis can be caused by an infection or an eye injury, and it can also occur after eye surgery.

What are the types?

■ Uveitis at the front of the eye can cause redness and pain and tends to come on quickly

■ In the middle of the eye can cause floaters and give you blurred vision

■ At the back of the eye can cause vision problems

■ When to see your GP

If you have a red eye, persistent eye pain or your vision changes, particularly if you’ve suffered from uveitis before.

What’s the treatment?

Steroids are the main treatment for uveitis and help reduce inflammation and pain inside your eye. Different types of steroid medication are recommended depending on the type of uveitis.

■ Eye drops are used for uveitis that affects the front of the eye

■ Injections, tablets and capsules are usually used to treat uveitis that affects the middle and back of the eye You may also need an immunosuppressant medicine, or, in some cases, surgery.