Uveitis, or eye inflammation, affest the middle layer of the eye wall called the uvea. Eye inflammation can be a warning sign of infection, injury or another condition more serious leading to permanent vision loss. The symptoms of uveitis occur suddenly and can quickly worsen if left untreated.
If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with a local Atlanta eye doctor for the uveitis diagnoses and treatment.
Uveitis is a general term for inflammation in the eye and is an entire specialty that encompasses several diseases of the eye. Some inflammatory diseases of the eye are infectious, and the type of infection is determined by a combination of examining the eye, sometimes blood work, and additional testing or procedures if needed. Some inflammatory diseases of the eye are autoimmune. This means that the immune system is “attacking” the eye. Sometimes this is associated with autoimmune diseases that affect other organs, and sometimes it is limited to only eye disease. No one test can identify the exact cause of uveitis in most patients, the exact diagnosis is determined on an individual basis based on findings at the time of the examination.
There is no ONE specific test to determine if a patient has uveitis. There is a combination of examinations and sometimes special testing depending on the type of inflammation present.
Uveitis can affect any age group from small children to the elderly. The type of uveitis a patient has will determine the severity of the disease.
Uveitis is rarely cured. It can affect someone intermittently, however it can be treated and controlled in the long run.
Although uveitis is a relatively rare disease, it has higher rates of blindness when compared to other ophthalmic diseases. When left un or undertreated, its’ complications can cause permanent blindness. If uveitis is adequately treated, most blindness can be prevented. It is important to remember that one of the risk factors for permanent vision loss is delaying evaluation and treatment by a uveitis specialist or comprehensive ophthalmologist.
