Uveitis is the inflammation of the uvea (the middle layer of the eye), which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. It can cause eye pain, redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity and floaters.

Types of Uveitis

Source: Tennessee Retina

Causes of Uveitis

Uveitis can have various causes, which are often classified into the following categories:

1. Autoimmune and Inflammatory Conditions

• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis 
• Sarcoidosis

2. Infections

• Bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic

3. Trauma or Injury

• Direct eye trauma or injury
• Secondary to eye surgery

4. Other Cause or Risk Factors 

• Smoking
• Cancer related
• Genetics: certain genetic markers, such as HLA-B27 
• Idiopathic (no identifiable cause)

Symptoms of Uveitis

Symptoms can develop suddenly or gradually and may affect one or both eyes. Common symptoms include:

• Eye pain (aching or throbbing)
• Redness in the eye
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
• Floaters (small dark spots in vision)

Diagnosis of Uveitis

• Dilated Eye Examination: The doctor will use eye drops to widen your pupils, allowing them to check the structures in the back of your eye.
• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): This imaging technique provides detailed cross-sectional images of the retina, showing the separation of retina layers.

• Widefield Retinal Imaging: It provides a field of view of 200 degrees or 82% of the retina in a single capture. Besides, using special dyes injected into the bloodstream, Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) or Indocyanine Green Angiography (ICGA) can help to detect blood vessel leakage or fall out which might be caused by uveitis.
  
• Laboratory Investigations: Several examinations including blood test, ESR, PCR test or Chest X-ray could rule out the underlying autoimmune or infectious causes.
   
  

Treatments of Uveitis

The treatment of uveitis depends on the underlying cause, severity, and part of the eye affected (anterior, intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis). Here’s an overview of common treatments:

1. Medications

     A. Corticosteroids (to reduce inflammation)

     B. Immunosuppressive or Biologic Therapy (for non-infectious or autoimmune uveitis)

     C. Antimicrobials (if infection is the cause)

     D. Cycloplegic Drops (to relieve pain and prevent complications)

2. Lifestyle and Supportive Measures

• Sunglasses – to reduce light sensitivity
• Regular eye exams – to monitor progress
• Managing underlying conditions – such as autoimmune diseases

3. Surgery (for severe or refractory cases)

• Vitrectomy – to remove inflammatory debris or treat complications
• Cataract or glaucoma surgery – if secondary complications develop
  

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

If left untreated, uveitis can lead to complications such as glaucoma, cataracts, macular edema, or even permanent vision loss. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are key to preventing serious outcomes.

If you experience persistent eye pain, redness, or changes in your vision, don’t wait—consult an eye care professional.

The medical retina & uveitis specialists available in OasisEye Specialists include Dr Wong Hon Seng who is based in Kuala Lumpur; Dr Rajasudha Sawri Rajan who is based in Kuala Lumpur and Puchong.