Uvea or the uveal tract is the middle layer of the eye that is positioned between the sclera and the retina which supplies most of the blood to the retina. The uvea includes the iris, the choroid of the eye, and the ciliary body. The state of inflammation or the irritation and swelling up of the uvea is referred to as uveitis.
There are many types of Uveitis- Anterior Uveitis, Intermediate Uveitis, Posterior Uveitis and Panuveitic Forms. The incredibly common kind of Uveitis that is found is Anterior Uveitis. As the front or the anterior region of the eye, known as the iris will become prone to inflammation, this condition is known as Uveitis and even Iritis.
Causes of Uveitis
Statistics provide that around 10% of the blindness in USA is on account of Uveitis. Uveitis is commonly identified in young and middle aged individuals. Uveitis can be triggered by a number of causes like autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, infections or exposure to toxins. Loss of sight can arise if uveitis is left untreated. There are many other causes for Uveitis such as diseases that can damage the immunity system of our body such as tuberculosis, AIDS, Syphilis, Herpes etc, Cancers like Lymphoma and severe injuries to the eye also cause Uveitis.
Symptoms of Uveitis
Mostly all the symptoms of Uveitis are associated with eventual loss of vision. Hazy and blurred eyesight, severe pain in the eye, photosensitivity or sensitivity to light, Blood shot eyes, constriction of pupils and alterations in the color of the eye are the most important symptoms of uveitis and Iritis. Nevertheless it is crucial to observe that the children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis or Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis usually do not tend to have any Uveitis symptoms until and unless eyesight loss takes place.
Uveitis Treatments
Treatment for Iritis is quite simple in cases of moderate implications. The patient will be prescribed eye drops or steroid drops to regulate the immune system, these drops also assist in dilating the pupils and reducing the muscular spasms to minimize pain to some extent. The patient will be expected to wear dark glasses for the security of the eye. Oral steroids may also be prescribed as a treatment alternative for uveitis. If Uveitis is triggered as a result of any body infection, strong anti-inflammatory medications called corticosteroids and antibiotics might be prescribed to the patients.
It is crucial that you hurry without delay to an ophthalmologist who is focused in treating uveitis. It is also vital to go for frequent eye checkups to safeguard and prevent your eyes from uveitis attacks.
Author Resource:-
Olivia's Vision is a charity setup to help raise awareness of Uveitis which is an eye disease. It's basic aims are quite simple: to be heard and to take action on behalf of every uveitis patient. Visit their site http://www.oliviasvision.org to know more about causes of uveitis.