Uveitis

Uveitis is the term used for inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye between the outer white coating and the retina at the back of the eye. It is in this area - bordering on many important and vital parts of the eye - that many of the vital blood vessels are located. As a result, a uveal inflammation could have more serious consequences than inflammations of the outside layers of the eye.

There are many causes of this inflammation - ranging from a virus, a fungus or a parasite. However, in most cases, the actual cause remains unknown.

When patients visit the Retina Imaging Centre suffering from eye inflammation, they will initially have their pupils dilated. This facilitates the eye's retina being examined, using the Centre's OCT (optical coherence tomography) machine, to get a clear perspective of what is happening inside the eye. Further checks on the patient's overall health might well be required to evaluate the possible links and origins of the problem.

While prompt treatment of uveitis is necessary to prevent loss of vision, the extent of the treatment depends largely on the location of the problem. Immediate treatment would include eye drops to reduce inflammation and pain. Complications could include glaucoma (high pressure in the eye), cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye) or neovascularization (formation of new blood vessels). Each would require distinct analysis and treatment.

If complications are advanced, there could be a call for surgery to remove the problem.