Causes and risk factors
Eye trauma or surgery, presence of HLA B27 allele has risk of developing uveitis. Connective tissue disorders like Spondyloarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, infections like syphilis, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, viral infections, and certain medications are some of the predisposing factors for development of uveitis. Reactivation of herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus can lead to uveitis.
Clinical presentation
Redness, blurred vision, photophobia, eye pain, headache, floating of dark spots in front of eyes are the presenting features. Uveitis is classified according to the area of affection i.e. anterior, intermediate and posterior uveitis. Anterior uveitis includes anterior chamber and iris. It is also called as iridocyclitis. Posterior uveitis includes inflammation of retina and choroid.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and Clinical examination by the ophthalmologist helps in diagnosis. In severe cases swabs and cultures are done to isolate the organism.
Treatment
Steroid eye drops, injections, medications to dilate the pupil and reduce inflammation and pain. In severe cases chemotherapeutic agents to suppress the immune system. In non responding cases evaluation by rheumatologist can be sort.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating uveitis. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating uveitis.
