What Is Uveitis?

Uveitis, also known as uveitis, is a general term for inflammation of the iris, ciliary body, and choroidal tissues. This disease is a common ophthalmic disease, which can cause some serious complications and sequelae. It is one of the main causes of blindness. According to the site of the disease, it can be divided into anterior uveitis, posterior uveitis, and intermediate uveitis. According to clinical manifestations, it can be divided into serous uveitis, cellulose uveitis, purulent uveitis, and granulomatous uveitis. inflammation.

Basic Information

nickname

Uveitis

Visiting department

Division of Rheumatology

Common locations

Eye

Common causes

No apparent cause

Common symptoms

Photophobia, tears, vision loss, shadow fluttering, blurred vision, glitter, vision distortion, etc.

Causes of uveitis

The etiology of uveitis is complex, and more than 50% of uveitis has no obvious cause to investigate. Most of them are autoimmune diseases. Because the uveal membrane has a rich capillary network, pathogens that circulate with the blood have more opportunities to stagnate here; antigen-antibody complexes are easy to deposit and local Artis reactions (arthus reactions) occur; It is a kind of autoantigen tissue that is prone to autoimmune reactions. It has special affinity and aggregation for certain toxic compounds. It can also be caused by trauma, chemicals or the spread of disease in adjacent tissues.

Clinical manifestations of uveitis

1. Anterior uveitis (1) Acute: often sudden, obvious symptoms, pain, photophobia, tearing, and vision loss.
(2) Chronic: Slow onset and insignificant symptoms.
Examination shows that the conjunctiva has ciliary congestion or mixed congestion; aqueous humor has flashes and cells; anterior chamber pus, blood, and fibrous exudate; posterior corneal deposits; iris edema, adhesion, nodules, atrophy, swelling, New blood vessels; pupil shrinkage, atresia, membrane closure; vitreous opacity, etc.
2. Hidden onset of middle uveitis, dark shadows fluttering in front of the eyes, vision of the lake, and vision loss. Examination showed that the inflammation of the anterior segment of the eye was lighter; the vitreous "snowball-like" cloudiness; the flat part of the ciliary body "snowbank-like" exudate; peripheral retinitis, perivascular inflammation.
3. The dark shadows flutter in front of the posterior uveitis, the sense of glitter, the deformation of the vision, the dark spots and the loss of vision. The examination showed vitreous opacity, and the fundus had different manifestations at different stages of the fundus, which could be localized, disseminated, and diffuse tissue damage.

Uveitis test

For suspected uveitis caused by pathogen infection, corresponding pathogenic examination should be performed.

Uveitis diagnosis

The diagnosis can be determined based on clinical manifestations and examination results.

Uveitis treatment

At present, the treatment of uveitis mostly uses hormones and immunosuppressive agents, and conventional treatments include corticosteroids and mydriatic drugs.
1. Local treatment (1) Mydriasis: Atropine or Compound Tropinamide.
(2) Corticosteroids: Dexamethasone eye drops, or subconjunctival injection treatment.
2. Systemic therapy (1) Corticosteroids: oral prednisone.
(2) Prostaglandin inhibitors: such as indomethacin.
(3) Antibiotics: due to tuberculosis, syphilis, and leptospira, uveitis should be treated accordingly.
3. Treatment of complications (1) Secondary glaucoma: first lower the intraocular pressure, and then control the inflammation, then surgical treatment.
(2) concurrent cataract: cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation.

Uveitis complications

Untreated or mistreated uveitis can cause many complications with serious consequences. Common complications include banded corneal degeneration, cataracts, macular and optic disc edema, macular surface fold-like changes, corneal edema, glaucoma, and retinal detachment.

Uveitis prognosis

Uveitis is prone to recurrence, especially when autoimmune function is low, tired, and cold. If you have conscious symptoms of relapse, you should diagnose and treat as early as possible to prevent permanent damage.