Uveitis

What is uveitis? 

Uveitis, also known as iritis, is a rare eye condition that causes inflammation in the uveal tract – the middle layer of the eye. It can affect one or both eyes and may lead to symptoms such as eye pain, redness, light sensitivity and blurred vision. Prompt assessment and uveitis treatment are important to reduce inflammation and protect your vision.

We offer a range of uveitis treatments, tailored to the type and underlying cause of your condition. These include steroid eye drops, cycloplegic drops, pain relief and protective measures such as dark glasses. For more complex cases, treatment may involve antimicrobial medicines, corticosteroid tablets, eye injections or immunosuppressive therapies. Our specialists will recommend the most appropriate treatment plan based on your symptoms and diagnosis.

Our private ophthalmology services located at St Thomas’ Hospital is home to our expert ophthalmology specialists, who are experienced in managing both common and complex eye conditions. You will receive personalised care using advanced diagnostic techniques and access to specialist services across our hospital locations.

Who is at risk of uveitis?  

Uveitis occurs most often in those aged between 20 to 59. The condition is uncommon in children but it can occur at any age.  

Some evidence suggests that genetics could play a role. For example, people with a certain gene (called HLA-B27) may be more likely to develop the condition.  

However, this marker is found in less than 1 in 10 people, so the overall risk of developing uveitis, even if you have this marker, is still extremely low.  

You may also increase your risk of developing the condition if you smoke. 

What are the different types of uveitis? 

The various types of uveitis are classified based on which area of the eye is inflamed.  

• anterior uveitis – the most common type of uveitis that affects the front of the uveal tract 
• intermediate uveitis – affects the middle part of the uveal tract
• panuveitis – the most serious form of uveitis, characterised by inflammation of the whole uveal tract 
• posterior uveitis – affects the back of the eye  

Symptoms of uveitis 

Uveitis may cause symptoms in one or both eyes. These can develop quickly over hours or days or gradually over several weeks and months.  

Symptoms of uveitis can include:  

• an increased sensitivity to light 
• eye pain (a dull ache in and around the eye) 
• red or watery eyes 
• reduced or blurred vision 
• the appearance of floaters or flashes (lights in your eyes or dark spots) 

Uveitis affects everyone differently. Although some people experience all of these symptoms, others may not have any.  

However, seeking medical advice as soon as possible is vital if you notice any symptoms. Untreated uveitis may result in long-term complications like vision loss and blindness.  

If you think you have symptoms of uveitis, contact our team of experts to receive specialist treatment.

What causes uveitis? 

Uveitis is caused when the uveal tract inside the eye becomes inflamed, leading to swelling and redness.  

There are several known causes of uveitis, including:  

• cancer – certain cancers, including leukaemia, lymphoma and ocular malignant melanoma, may mimic uveitis in rare cases
• eye injury – injuring your eye may cause uveitis
• infections – many bacterial, fungal and viral infections can result in eye inflammation and uveitis. The infections include tuberculosis and toxoplasmosis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like herpes, syphilis and other infections linked with HIV 
• inflammatory and autoimmune diseases – conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, sarcoidosis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, vasculitis and Behcet’s disease can cause inflammation 
• medication or surgery – eye surgery or taking certain medications may lead to uveitis as a side effect in very rare cases 

Although there are several known causes of uveitis, the exact cause is unknown in almost half of all cases. When it’s unknown, it’s referred to as idiopathic uveitis. 

Complications of uveitis 

Untreated uveitis can lead to several complications, including vision loss and potential blindness.  

It may also lead to the onset of other eye-related conditions, such as:  

• cataracts 
• glaucoma 
• macular oedema 
• retinal detachment 

Therefore, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible if you start to experience any related symptoms. 

Diagnosing uveitis 

Assessing your symptoms will help our team to diagnose uveitis. After you are referred to our specialists, we will use various eye tests to confirm whether you have the condition.  

We’ll start with a routine eye test to assess your vision. We’ll then use a special microscope called a slit-lamp to evaluate the inside of the eye. This assessment will help us see the specific signs of uveitis and, ultimately, make a diagnosis.  

You may need further tests depending on the severity of your uveitis and whether you’ve had it before. These tests could involve a colour image of the retina and an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan to take images of your eye, blood tests, and possibly a chest X-ray. You may also be recommended to have a dye test, called a fluorescein or indocyanine green angiogram, to assess the health of the deeper layers in the eye.  

To receive a uveitis diagnosis, contact our customer services team and make an appointment with an ophthalmology consultant. 

Uveitis treatment 

We can treat uveitis in different ways, depending on your type and, if known, the cause.  

Some of the most common treatments for uveitis include:  

• cycloplegic eye drops (to temporarily stop your eye muscles from focusing and relieve pain) 
• dark glasses 
• painkillers (such as paracetamol) 
• steroid eye drops 

For more complex types of uveitis, you may need a stronger form of treatment. This may include:  

• antimicrobial medicines (where a virus, bacteria, fungus or parasite are causing the uveitis) 
• corticosteroid tablets (steroids) 
• eye injections 
• immunosuppressive medicines (to help prevent your immune system from attacking your own healthy cells) 

Your ophthalmologist can tell you which treatment best suits your needs and symptoms.

Get in touch about uveitis treatment

Our expert ophthalmology specialists provide personalised diagnosis and treatment for uveitis, helping to control inflammation and protect your vision. We offer a full range of therapies tailored to your condition, including treatment for more complex cases.

If you’re experiencing symptoms or have been diagnosed with uveitis, get in touch to discuss your care or contact our team for expert advice and next steps.