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Uveitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

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Uveitis is a inflammatory condition of the middle layer of the eye, the uvea, which provides most of the blood supply to the retina. Similar to arthritis of the joints, Uveitis is not an infection, but rather an inflammation.

While, in most cases, the cause is idiopathic, Uveitis can be associated with autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis, infection, exposure to toxins, bowel and abdominal inflammation, and even trauma. The whole body is connected and sometimes an injury to a completely unrelated area of your body, like your back, can trigger Uveitis.

Signs and Symptoms

Uveitis symptoms may develop rapidly, affecting one or both eyes, and can include:

•          Blurred vision

•          Dark, floating spots in the vision

•          Eye pain

•          Redness of the eye

•          Sensitivity to light

Forms of Uveitis

Uveitis is the third-leading cause of blindness in developed countries, behind Cataracts (#1) Glaucoma (#2).

The most common form of Uveitis is Anterior Uveitis, also called Iritis, which involves inflammation in the front part of the eye. The disorder may affect one eye or both eyes and is most common in young and middle-aged people.

Posterior Uveitis, also referred to as Choroiditis, affects the back part of the uvea and primarily involves the chorid, which is a layer of blood vessels under the retina. If the retina is involved, it is called Chorioretinitis.

The final form of Uveitis is Pars Planitis, which is an inflammation affecting the area just behind the iris. This particular type of Uveitis occurs primarily in young men.

Treatment

Treatment for Uveitis involves the use of steroid eye drops, though additional treatments may be helpful, including: wearing dark glasses, using eye drops that dilate and relax the pupil to relieve pain, using oral steroids, and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin.

With proper treatment, most cases of Uveitis are resolved in a few days or, more commonly, a few weeks. However, relapses are common.

Call your eye doctor immediately if you are suffering from blurry vision or any of the other previously mentioned symptoms. Your doctor may refer you to an eye specialist.

Eye pain and reduced vision are serious symptoms that require prompt medical attention from you optometrist or ophthalmologist.

If you have any questions about what you have just read, please contact Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010.

Sources:

PubMed Health

Uveitis Mayo Clinic

Treating Dry Eyes: Eye Care Information from Anne Arundel Eye Center

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Your eyes rely on the flow of tears – a combination of water; oils, mucus, antibodies, and special proteins. These tears provide moisture and lubrication to not only maintain comfort, but also proper vision. When tears are not being consistently produced, a person may experience Dry Eyes.

Dry eyes can be caused by several different scenarios, including:

  1. An imbalance in the tear-flow system of the eye
  2. A structural problem with the eyelid, which doesn’t allow it to close properly
  3. Natural aging
  4. Side effects of certain drugs
  5. Diseases that affect the eye, such as Blepharitis, Mebomian Gland Disease, Dysfunctional Tear Syndrome, Sjögren’s Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Collagen Vascular Diseases

Signs and Symptoms of Dry Eyes

  • Pain
  • Sensitivity to light
  • A gritty sensation
  • Feeling like ‘something’ is in the eye
  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Blurred vision / Blurry vision
  • Varying vision clarity.

If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. While there is no cure for dry eyes, there are several treatment methods that can be taken to alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes.

Dry Eyes Treatment

  • Artificial Tears: Available over-the-counter, tear drops are one of the easiest and most popular treatment methods for dry eyes.
  • Punctal Occlusion (Temporary and Permanent): Temporary punctual occlusion involves the temporary plugging of the ducts that drain tears out of the eye. If this proves to be successful in providing an adequate supply of tears, permanent punctual occlusion may be an option. And, as you may have guessed, permanent punctual occlusion is the permanent plugging of the tear drains (though plugs can be removed by your eye doctor).
  • Medication: Medications, such as daily doses of Restasis can greatly improve the quality of life for a patient with Dry Eye. In cases of uncontrolled Dry Eye, topical steroids may be used temporarily to bring the tear film to a healthy and stable state.
  • Surgery: The ducts that drain tears into the nose can be permanently closed to allow more tears to remain around the eye.

To learn more about Dry Eyes or Proper Eye Health, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

Vision problems may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Dry Eyes

 

 

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