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.