Uveitis

What is uveitis?

Uveitis is the name for inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. The uvea is made up of the iris (the coloured part of the eye), the ciliary body (a ring of muscle behind the iris), and the choroid (the supportive layer of blood vessels underneath the retina). 

What are the different types of uveitis?

There are several different types of uveitis, which are usually categorised according to which part of the uvea they affect. Uveitis can also be classed as either acute (lasting a few weeks) or chronic (lasting several months or more). 

What causes uveitis?

Some types of uveitis are caused by an infection such as the herpes virus or a bacterial infection. The body tries to fight off infection using the immune system, but sometimes the immune system can also be damaging. In these cases, white blood cells can enter the eye and cause inflammation that damages delicate eye tissue.

Uveitis may be caused by a condition that also affects other parts of the body, such as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease or some types of arthritis.

Non-infectious uveitis can be an auto-immune condition, which means the body attacks itself. Sometimes this can be limited to the eye, such as in birdshot uveitis.

What are the signs and symptoms of uveitis?

Symptoms of uveitis can include red eyes, pain, being sensitive to light, blurred vision, floaters (dots or lines that seem to float across your vision), and seeing flashing lights. The exact symptoms will depend on the type of uveitis and which part of the eye is affected.

Is uveitis serious?

Uveitis is a major cause of blindness. It can be treated successfully, but if the uveitis isn’t picked up and treated properly it can lead to serious complications like cataracts, glaucoma, amblyopia and macular oedema.

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How is uveitis diagnosed?

The doctor will examine your eyes and will need to know about what symptoms you have been experiencing. In some cases you might need additional tests, such as eye scans, as well. 

What are the treatments for uveitis?

Treatment for non-infectious uveitis is usually with steroids. These can be given as eye drops, tablets, or injections around or in the eye. Sometimes other drugs to dampen the body’s immune system are needed. The treatments may cause side effects that need to be monitored and treated.

What research is there into uveitis?

Key areas for uveitis research include finding better ways to monitor the condition as it progresses, and understanding who is at risk. We've been funding a number of project that could help people with uveitis in future.

For example, we've recently funded Dr Ameenat Lola Solebo at Great Ormond Street Hospital to study children who are affected by one of several eye conditions, including uveitis. The aim is to understand which children are most at risk of developing glaucoma as a result of their eye condition. 

In another study at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, researchers have identified that people with eye inflammation, such as uveitis, are at an increased risk of developing a broader autoimmune condition. For example, people with uveitis are 44 times more likely to get a disease affecting the spine called ankylosing spondylitis.

The researchers are trying to identify risk factors linked with developing multiple sclerosis, ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis in people who have inflammatory eye disease – and to explore whether genetic information can further help to refine a person’s risk of developing these conditions in the future.

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