Uvea is the middle vasular layer of
the eye ball .
When the anterior part of the uvea called the
iris
is involved then it is called iriitis.
When the middle part(cilliarybody or pars plana) is involved then it is
called pars planitis or cyclitis .
When the posterior part (choroid) is involved then it is called
choroiditis. Most of the causes of uveitis are called endogenous
i.e. it is an autoimmune phenomenon where one part of body reacts
against tissues from other part of the body.
Some times uveitis can be due to infective cause such HIV ,
tuberculosis,
Herpes simplex vrus or by fungul infections. For infective cases the
infection is treated with appropriate drugs.
Steroids are always given to minimise inflammation.
Steroids can be given as eye drops, tablets or by injections to the
eye.
Sometimes doctors avoid steroid tablets so as to minimise side effects
elsewhere in the body.
Atropine like drops are given in some cases to relive pain. Patients
should remeber that atropine like drugs will cause temporary dimness of
near vision.
Pain is significant in iritis while dimness of vision is common in
choroidits.
Uveitis are notorious for recurrance especially the endogenous ones.
If patients recognise this then many of the recurrances can be treated
early
because they start innocuously like mild conjunctivitis. Chronic or
poorly treated uveitis
can lead to cataract , glaucoma or retinal detachment.