All About Uveitis

Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea in the eye and can cause eye pain, redness, and vision problems. Prompt treatment is necessary to prevent complications.

Uveitis FAQ

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Can uveitis cause blindness?

Your eye shape is a critical part of how you see, and even tiny changes from swelling can disrupt your sight. In severe cases, uveitis (pronounced “yoo-vee-EYE-tiss”) can cause permanent vision loss and blindness. How common is uveitis? Uveitis is common overall. Worldwide, there are about 4 million new cases each year.

What does uveitis mean?

Uveitis is inflammation inside your eye. Inflammation usually happens when your immune system is fighting an infection. Sometimes uveitis means your immune system is fighting an eye infection — but it can also happen when your immune system attacks healthy tissue in your eyes. Uveitis can cause problems like pain, redness, and vision loss.

How does uveitis affect the eye?

Uveitis occurs when the middle layer of the eyeball gets inflamed (red and swollen). This layer, called the uvea, has many blood vessels that nourish the eye. Uveitis can damage vital eye tissue, leading to permanent vision loss. There are 3 types of uveitis. They are based on which part of the uvea is affected.

What is anterior uveitis?

Anterior uveitis affects the inside of the front of your eye (between the cornea and the iris) and the ciliary body. It is also called iritis and is the most common type of uveitis. Intermediate uveitis affects the retina and blood vessels just behind the lens (pars plana) as well as the gel in the center of the eye (vitreous).

What does uveitis look like?

Uveitis is a form of eye inflammation. It affects the middle layer of tissue in the eye wall (uvea). Uveitis (u-vee-I-tis) warning signs often come on suddenly and get worse quickly. They include eye redness, pain and blurred vision. The condition can affect one or both eyes, and it can affect people of all ages, even children.