What is uveitis?
Uveitis refers to inflammation of the uvea, one of the layers surrounding the eye, between the retina (the innermost layer) and the sclera (outer white layer of the eye).
UVEITIS
advanced ophthalmology Valencia
Symptoms of uveitis
Intermediate and posterior uveitis are characterised in particular by a reduction in visual acuity.
Anterior uveitis leads to quite noteworthy symptoms consisting of:
Red eye
Pain
Photophobia (discomfort when looking at light)
Blurred vision
MAIN
CAUSES
When uveitis occurs, testing needs to be carried out to find the underlying cause. However, in many cases no clear aetiology is uncovered, in which case it is referred to as idiopathic.
The most common causes of uveitis include:
- Autoimmune conditions, especially rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
- Infections, such as toxoplasmosis.
- Eye injuries.
TREATMENTS
UVEITIS
Treatment will largely depend on the source of the uveitis and the area affected.
If there is a related disease, that needs to be treated, which often improves the accompanying uveitis.
In any case, the treatment for uveitis aims to reduce intraocular inflammation and minimise complications and flare-ups of disease.
PIONEERS IN
EYE SURGERY
At CLÍNICA RAHHAL, we have state-of-the-art technological equipment which, combined with our teamwork, ensures the best results.
“I have been going to Rahhal for many years with my entire family because of the quality of the service and the family-friendly atmosphere that the whole team provides”.
Álvaro Lluch.
“Besides his professionalism, you can see that Dr Rahhal enjoys his work and is happy doing it. I went to him for an initial consultation and have never thought about going to another clinic. I am truly delighted”.
Marisa.
“I have been a patient for some time and I am delighted with them. The staff are attentive and very professional, not to mention the excellent facilities”.
Esther Herranz.
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TO MAKE LIFE EASIER
At CLÍNICA RAHHAL, we don’t want you to have to break the bank to be able to see; we want to ensure our patients can afford our treatments.
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Select one of the following frequently-asked questions from our patients to show the answer. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please contact us using the form below.
Are all types of uveitis the same?
The term uveitis refers to intraocular inflammation. This inflammation may occur only at the anterior, intermediate (in the vitreous) or posterior (in the choroid and retina) segment, or throughout (panuveitis). Also, depending on the cause, the uveitis can be infectious, secondary to other disorders or idiopathic. As such, the source of the uveitis and the tissue affected will enable us to distinguish between multiple types and subtypes, which need to be carefully studied by a specialist ophthalmologist.
Is it linked to other ailments?
In some cases, uveitis can be linked to other systemic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or Crohn’s disease, with uveitis appearing as the first symptom. So, thorough testing is vital in cases of recurrent uveitis.
It is worth highlighting that often no linked disorder or predisposition is found, in which case the uveitis is referred to as idiopathic.
It is normal for it to occur multiple times?
Yes, uveitis is a process that tends to occur repeatedly throughout life, especially in patients where the uveitis is linked to a chronic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.
Can I lose my sight as a result of uveitis?
Any kind of uveitis can lead to vision loss due to the damage caused by the inflammation itself in the eye tissues and because of damage that is secondary to medication. Sometimes, the vision loss may be reversible, such as with cataracts that are secondary to the chronic use of corticosteroids.
Can both eyes be affected?
Yes. In fact, with each reappearance, either eye can be affected, although most patients tend to see the process recur in the same eye most of the time. Depending on the type of uveitis, there is a greater or lesser tendency towards the process becoming bilateral.
How is it treated?
The treatment for uveitis includes comprehensive testing to determine the cause. Depending on this and the tissues affected, the treatment may be topical (with drops), intravitreal (with an intraocular injection), oral or intravenous. The duration of the treatment will vary in each case.
Initial consultation
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