Uveitis
What is uveitis?
Uveitis is inflammation of the part of the eye called the uvea. The uvea is the middle layer of the eye, between the innermost layer, the retina, and the outermost layer, the sclera.
Uvea blood vessels nourish important parts of the eye, such as the retina. If the uvea becomes inflammed, it can harm your sight and negatively affect other parts of your eye, such as the lens, the retina, the optic nerve, and the vitreous.
What diseases are associated with uveitis?
Uveitis can be a symptom of many diseases, including:
- AIDS
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Behcet's syndrome
- CMV retinitis
- Herpes zoster infection
- Histoplasmosis
- Kawasaki disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Psoriasis
- Reactive arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sarcoidosis
- Syphilis
- Toxoplasmosis
- Tuberculosis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Vogt Koyanagi Harada's disease
What are the symptoms of uveitis?
Uveitis can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms can develop rapidly and may include:
- Blurry vision
- Dark, floating spots in the vision (floaters)
- Eye pain
- Red eye
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should be examined immediately by a Board Certified Retina Specialist at Retina Vitreous Associates. Request an appointment at one of seven convenient locations in Illinois and Indiana.