Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye. The NHS says it is important to get it treated early to avoid long-term complications such as vision loss. It usually gets better quickly with treatment but can come back.
It usually affects one eye but can affect both. Symptoms can come on over hours or days, or more gradually, and sometimes there are none.
Symptoms of uveitis
- Eye pain, which may feel worse when reading
- Red or watery eyes
- Reduced or blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Flashes and floaters
When to get help
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if you have eye pain, sensitivity to light, changes in your vision such as flashing or blurring, or very red eyes. Go to A&E or call 999 if you cannot see. If a GP thinks you have uveitis, they will refer you to an eye specialist, and you will usually be seen within 24 hours.
Causes
In most cases the cause is unknown. The NHS says it can be caused by autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis, some infections including herpes viruses and toxoplasmosis, an eye injury, or rarely a growth in the eye.
Treatment
You will usually be prescribed medicines to clear any infection, reduce inflammation, and relax the eye to ease pain. If uveitis is severe or keeps coming back, other treatments include medicines that calm the immune system, laser light treatment, cryotherapy or surgery. An ophthalmologist will check how treatment is working.
