Uveitis specifically refers to inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, termed the "uvea" but in common usage may refer to any inflammatory process involving the interior of the eye.
Uveitis is estimated to be responsible for approximately 10% of the blindness in the United States. Uveitis requires an urgent referral and thorough examination by an orthoptist, optometrist or ophthalmologist along with urgent treatment to control the inflammation.
Uveitis may be classified anatomically into ''anterior'',
''intermediate'', ''posterior'' and ''panuveitic'' forms, based on
which part of the eye is primarily affected by the inflammation.
- Anywhere from two-thirds to 90% of uveitis cases are
anterior in location (anterior uveitis), frequently termed ''iritis'' -
or inflammation of the iris and anterior chamber. This condition can
occur as a single episode and subside with proper treatment or may take
on a recurrent or chronic nature. Symptoms include red eye, injected
conjunctiva, pain and decreased vision. Signs include dilated ciliary
vessels, presence of cells and flare in the anterior chamber, and
keratic precipitates ("KP") on the posterior surface of the cornea.
- Intermediate uveitis (pars planitis) consists of vitritis
- inflammatory cells in the vitreous cavity, sometimes with
''snowbanking'', or deposition of inflammatory material on the pars
plana.
- Posterior uveitis is the inflammation of the retina and choroid.
- Pan-uveitis is the inflammation of all the layers of the uvea.
In 2004, a group of international uveitis specialists
convened in Baltimore, MD, to standardize the method of reporting data
in uveitis clinical trials, including anatomical classification. The
results of this meeting were published in the American Journal of
Ophthalmology in 2005.
Symptoms of Uveitis include:
- Redness of the eye
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Dark, floating spots along the visual field
- Eye pain
Further Reading
This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia article on
"Uveitis"
All material adapted used from Wikipedia is available under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.
Wikipedia® itself is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.