Uveitis

 

Uveitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the uveal tract of the eye, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. It can lead to severe discomfort and potential vision loss if not treated appropriately. Uveitis is classified based on the primary site of inflammation into anterior, intermediate, posterior, and panuveitis.

Signs and Symptoms 

. Anterior Uveitis: This most common form often presents with eye redness, pain, sensitivity to light, and sometimes blurred vision.
. Intermediate Uveitis: This form primarily affects the vitreous and may present with floaters and blurred vision, typically without significant pain.
. Posterior Uveitis: Involvement of the retina and choroid presents with visual disturbances, such as floaters and vision loss, but it is less likely to cause pain.
. Panuveitis: This involves inflammation in all major parts of the eye, leading to symptoms of anterior, intermediate, and posterior uveitis simultaneously.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is primarily based on clinical examination
. Slit Lamp Examination: Essential for detecting leukocytes in the anterior chamber, indicative of anterior uveitis.
. Funduscopic Examination: Used to observe the back of the eye, identifying inflammation in the vitreous, retina, or choroid characteristic of intermediate and posterior uveitis.
. Scleral Depression: Helps examine peripheral areas of the retina for signs of inflammation, especially useful in detecting pars planitis.

Types of Uveitis
. Infectious Uveitis: Caused by pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Common infectious agents include herpes viruses, toxoplasmosis, and syphilis.
. Non-Infectious Uveitis: Often associated with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, or ankylosing spondylitis. It can also be induced by hypersensitivity reactions or as a side effect of certain medications.

Management
. Non-infectious Uveitis: Initial management typically involves topical corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. For more severe cases or those involving the posterior segment, systemic immunosuppressants or biologics might be necessary.
. Infectious Uveitis: Requires targeted antimicrobial or antiviral therapy alongside anti-inflammatory treatments.
. Systemic Disease-Associated Uveitis: Treatment includes managing the underlying systemic condition in addition to local eye treatment.