Eye Health More Eye Issues & Safety Print Uveitis Causes and Symptoms By Troy Bedinghaus, OD Updated August 31, 2019 Creative RF More in Eye Health More Eye Issues & Safety Glaucoma Cataracts Macular Degeneration Vision Loss Dry Eye Syndrome Contact Lenses Glasses Exams & Procedures Vision Improvement Surgery Eye Anatomy Kid's Eye Health View All It may sound like a condition caused by the sun's UV rays, but uveitis (yoo-vee-eye-tis) is actually an inflammation or swelling of the eye's uvea. The uvea is located in the center of the eye, between the sclera and the retina, and is responsible for supplying blood to the retina. Uveitis is a rare disease that usually occurs in young and middle-aged people. Vision loss may occur when scars develop on the choroid and retina. The amount of vision lost depends on the amount and location of the scarring. Symptoms Symptoms of uveitis may develop suddenly. If your eye suddenly becomes red, painful, and sensitive to light, contact your doctor immediately. Common symptoms of uveitis include: Redness of the eyeLight sensitivityBlurry visionFloatersPain in the eye Causes In many cases of uveitis, the cause is unknown. However, it can be caused by certain autoimmune disorders, infection, or exposure to toxins. There are three different types of uveitis, depending on the location of the inflammation. Iritis- The most common form of uveitis, iritis is an inflammation of the iris, in the front part of the eye. It may affect only one eye.Pars Planitis- Usually affecting young men, pars planitis is inflammation of the narrow area between the iris and the choroid, called the pars plana.Choroiditis- Primarily involving the choroid, choroiditis affects the back part of the uvea. Diagnosis An eye doctor will be able to diagnose uveitis after performing a complete eye examination. During the eye examination, your doctor will exam the front part of the eye called the anterior chamber. Most types of uveitis will cause the anterior chamber to fill with white blood cells. These cells are a strong diagnostic sign that the eye as uveitis. Next, your doctor will check the eye pressure or intraocular pressure. Sometimes the pressure can be lower than normal and in other cases uveitis can increase eye pressure. Your pupils will be dilated to exam the posterior part of the eye. Sometimes white blood cells and inflammatory debris will show here. The doctor will use many diagnostic tests and ask several questions about current symptoms as well as medical history. Additional tests may be ordered, such as x-rays or MRIs, because uveitis is often caused by other medical conditions. It is important to find the underlying cause so proper treatment can be given. Associated Conditions Uveitis may be associated with the following conditions: ToxoplasmosisHistoplasmosisTuberculosisSarcoidosisSyphilisAIDSCMV retinitis or other cytomegalovirus infectionTraumaUlcerative colitisRheumatoid arthritisKawasaki diseaseHerpes zoster infectionAnkylosing spondylitisBehcet syndromePsoriasisReactive arthritis Treatment Treating uveitis usually consists of a prescribed steroid of some form, to reduce inflammation. Depending on the area of the uvea affected, your doctor may prescribe steroid drops, injections or pills. If you are in pain, your doctor may use dilating drops to dilate the pupil, reducing spasm of the pupillary muscles. Drops may also be prescribed to lower the pressure in your eye. The underlying cause of the uveitis, if found, will also require treatment. Also, after reducing the inflammation, your doctor may need to prescribe treatment for secondary conditions such as scarring, glaucoma or cataracts, if they develop. A Word From Verywell If you have symptoms of uveitis, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor, especially if there is pain or reduced vision. It is important to properly treat existing diseases as well, as this may help prevent uveitis. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Continue Reading