Infectious
A virus, bacterium or fungus sets off the inflammation.
Uveitis treatment
in Korea
Find the cause first, then treat the inflammation
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the blood-rich middle layer of the eye. It can bring redness, pain, floaters and falling vision. At Sky Eye Clinic in Seoul, treatment starts by finding the cause, then uses drops, medication or surgery as your eye requires.
Inflammation left untreated for a long time can lead to cataract, retinal problems and glaucoma, and can end in blindness.
Anatomy
Where the uvea sits
Picture the eye wall as three layers: the sclera outside, the retina inside, and in between the uvea, which is made up of the iris, the ciliary body and the choroid.
The uvea is packed with blood vessels and connective tissue, which is why it becomes inflamed easily.
Causes
Two kinds of cause
Non-infectious
The immune system reacts, in connection with autoimmune disease, a tumor, injury, surgery or degenerated tissue.
Symptoms
How uveitis can feel
Common signs
- A red eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Watering
- Weaker vision
- Floaters
- Distorted shapes
- Objects that look larger or smaller than they are
- Colors that look different
Types
Four types, by location
Which signs you get depends on how strong the inflammation is and what caused it.
Anterior uveitis
The iris and the front of the ciliary body are inflamed. Sight is usually only mildly affected and can recover after treatment.
Typical signs: redness, light sensitivity, watering, pain, weaker vision.
Intermediate uveitis
The middle section, mainly the vitreous and the peripheral retina, is inflamed. It is mostly non-infectious and mainly affects teenagers and young adults.
Typical signs: floaters, mild to moderate vision loss.
Posterior uveitis
The retina and choroid are inflamed and vision drops quickly. Swelling of the retina, especially macular edema, develops easily.
Typical signs: rapid vision loss, severe pain, floaters, altered colors, distortion.
Panuveitis
The whole uvea is inflamed, the most serious form. It can occur with Behçet’s disease, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, multifocal choroiditis with panuveitis, and syphilis.
Typical signs: rapid vision loss, severe pain, floaters, distortion.
Treatment
Treatment follows the cause
Infection
Your doctor prescribes an antibiotic, antifungal or antiviral that matches the cause.
Non-infectious inflammation
Eye drops calm the inflammatory response, and steroids are introduced gradually as your condition requires.
When an autoimmune disease is behind the inflammation, your doctor adds systemic immunosuppressive therapy. For uveitis that keeps coming back, the biologic agent Humira is used.
Surgery
Vitrectomy removes abnormal vessels and membranes from the retina.
It is considered for vitreous bleeding or clouding that does not clear, repeated bleeding, tractional detachment that threatens the macula or has a tear, severe bleeding at the macula, eyes that cannot be treated with laser, and new vessels growing on the iris.
When to Come In
Do not wait it out
Delayed treatment can bring complications, including glaucoma and retinal detachment. How quickly the inflammation settles differs from person to person.
FAQ
Questions about uveitis
What are the usual symptoms?
Redness, light sensitivity, watering, weaker vision, floaters and distorted shapes are common. The exact mix depends on the type and cause.
What causes uveitis?
Either an infection (viral, bacterial or fungal) or an immune reaction linked to autoimmune disease, a tumor, injury, surgery or degenerated tissue.
Which type is the most serious?
Panuveitis, in which the whole uvea is inflamed. It can occur with Behçet’s disease and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, among others.
What if it is left untreated?
Long-standing inflammation can cause cataract, retinal problems and glaucoma, and can lead to blindness.
Related
Keep reading
01
Retina Center overview
All seven retinal and glaucoma conditions we treat.
view
02
Glaucoma
A complication that can follow long-standing inflammation.
view
03
Epiretinal membrane
A retinal membrane that inflammation can help trigger.
view
04
Ask about an exam
Send your questions before you plan a visit.
view
