Panuveitis
Overview
Inflammation of the whole uvea. The uvea is the middle coat of the eye.
Symptoms
- Visual disturbance
- Eye pain
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Seeing spots
- Red eyes
- Reduced vision
Causes
Typically, uveitis is idiopathic. However, it can result from allergy, bacteria, viruses, fungi, chemicals, trauma, or surgery; or it may be associated with systemic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and toxoplasmosis. Uveitis occurs in 15 of every 100,000 people.
Diagnosis
- Eye Tests
- Vision Tests
Prognosis
With proper treatment, most attacks of anterior uveitis go away in a few days to weeks. However, relapses are common.
Inflammation related to posterior uveitis may last from months to years and may cause permanent vision damage, even with treatment.
Source: National Institute of Health
Treatment
Uveitis requires vigorous and prompt management, which includes treatment for any known underlying cause — corticosteroids with antibiotic therapy for infectious diseases and suppression therapy for autoimmune diseases — and application of a topical cycloplegic, such as 1% atropine sulfate, and of topical corticosteroids applied three to four times daily. For severe uveitis, therapy includes oral systemic corticosteroids. Alert Long-term steroid therapy can cause a rise in IOP or cataracts. Carefully monitor IOP during acute inflammation. If IOP rises, therapy should include an antiglaucoma medication, such as brimonidine (Alphagan), an alpha2-adrenergic agonist, or dorzolamide (Trusopt), a sulfonamide. Occasionally, posterior uveitis requires systemic immunosuppression with azathioprine or cyclosporine.