Conditions Treated at Empire Eye Physicians

Uveitis is a term that means inflammation of the eye. There are many subtypes of ocular inflammation that are classified by the specific location of the inflammation. For example, Anterior (front of the eye), Posterior (back of the eye), and Pan (all layers of the eye) are the most common subtypes.

Uveitis symptoms may include light sensitivity, blurred vision, pain, floaters, and redness of the eye. A case of “pink eye” may actually represent a more serious problem than expected. If your eye becomes red or painful, you should see an eye care specialist.

In many cases of uveitis, the underlying cause remains unknown. Sometimes your eye doctor is able to determine a cause such as an infection or underlying illness that requires specific types of treatment. A careful eye examination by an eye doctor is extremely important when symptoms occur. They may order blood or skin tests, or imaging tests such as x-rays or MRI’s to help identify the cause.

Uveitis can be associated with glaucoma, increased eye pressure, cataracts, neovascularization (growth of new, abnormal blood vessels), and blindness from scarring.

Uveitis is a serious eye condition that may cause scarring in the eye; therefore, it needs to be treated quickly to prevent damage to the vision. Anti-inflammatory and dilating eye drops can help to reduce inflammation and pain in most cases. For more severe uveitis, oral medication, injections, or surgery may be necessary. If left untreated, inflammation inside the eye caused by uveitis may cause permanent vision damage or blindness.