The eye can be compared to a sophisticated camera, where the lens functions to transmit light, enabling it to converge onto the delicate and intricate retina positioned at the posterior part of the eye. This remarkable process resembles capturing an image on a thin, intricate film, allowing us to perceive the world around us.
What is the Uvea?
The eyeball comprises three protective layers, and the middle layer known as the uvea consists of three distinct parts: the anterior iris, the middle ciliary body, and the posterior choroid. The uvea possesses a significant blood supply and is equipped with a resilient immune system. However, due to its immunological characteristics, the uvea is susceptible to immune reactions and associated conditions.
What is Uveitis?
Uveitis is an inflammation occurring in the Uvea.
Occurrence in the front part of the eye is called Iritis or Iridocyclitis.
The back part is called choroiditis, retinitis, etc.
And involving the middle portion, i.e. Pars Plana, it is called Intermediate Uveitis.
Inflammation affecting the whole of the uveal tract is called Panuveitis.
What causes Uveitis?
The exact cause of uveitis often remains unknown, but it can be associated with various systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, and others. In certain cases, the body's immune system perceives its own proteins as foreign, triggering an inflammatory response. Uveitis can also be attributed to infectious agents, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, or protozoa. Furthermore, certain individuals may have a genetic predisposition to develop uveitis. Understanding these potential factors can aid in the diagnosis and management of uveitis to ensure appropriate treatment and care.
What are the symptoms of Uveitis?
A uveitis patient often has one or more of these symptoms:
Redness
Pain
Watering
Photophobia
Blurring of Vision
Seeing Black Spots
What are laboratory tests offered in Uveitis?
After careful examination and detailed history taking, our doctors could advise ocular investigations, which include:
Eye Chart or Visual Acuity Test
Funduscopic Exam
Ocular Pressure Test, Slit Lamp Examination
Fundus Fluorescein Angiography
Optical Coherence Tomography(O.C.T)
B Scan Ultrasound
U.B.M (Ultrasound Biomicroscopy)
Systemic Investigations include Blood Tests and Radiological Imaging
Visual Acuity Testing
OCT
Blood Tests
Chest X Ray
FFA
What is the mode of therapy if you develop Uveitis?
Every attack episode is treated with medication as there is often no permanent cure for uveitis. The treatment will depend on the cause, severity and location of the inflammation.
Treatment Mainly involves eyedrops, injections around the eyes, or oral medicines.
Most commonly prescribed are steroids and pupillary dilatating drops.
Steroid Injections around the eye mainly, a depot steroid injection, causes a slow release of the drug in the eye, with effectivity of 3 to 4 weeks.
Oral drugs are needed when the inflammation is extensive or severe. These include oral steroids (prednisolone/wysolone etc), immunosuppressive drugs or both.
What do we advise upon Initiation of Treatment?
We advise taking medicines as per our instructions. Do not stop or start the medication without your doctor’s advice. Do not Self-mediate.
Oral steroids can cause acidity, mild stomach pain, increase in weight, acne or pimples, can rarely induce diabetes, increase blood pressure, nervousness, depression, and increased chances of infection. You may consult your physician or us if such side effects appear.
If you are a woman of reproductive age, we advise you not to conceive while on treatment with oral steroids.
If you have to undergo any surgery while on steroid therapy, please inform your physician about this.
Immunosuppressive drugs interfere with the body’s basic metabolic process, thereby decreasing your blood counts. These patients require weekly blood tests while on treatment.