Anterior Uveitis(Uveitis; Iritis; Iridocyclitis)Pronounced: You-vee-eye-tis
by
Deanna M. Neff, MPH DefinitionAnterior uveitis is inflammation of the front segment of the uvea. The uvea is the middle layer of the eye. Anterior uveitis affects the iris and ciliary body. It is a potentially serious condition. It requires care from your doctor to prevent vision loss.
CausesIn most cases, the cause of anterior uveitis is unknown. In some, it may be caused by trauma or an infection. Infections associated with anterior uveitis include:
Risk FactorsAnterior uveitis may be more likely to occur in people with other health problems and autoimmune disorders, such as SymptomsAnterior uveitis may cause:
DiagnosisYou will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. An eye exam will be done. An eye specialist will do a more extensive exam of the inside of your eye. Blood tests may be done to look for other disorders causing or associated with anterior uveitis. TreatmentMost often, treatment will focus on relieving the symptoms of anterior uveitis until it goes away. It is important to follow treatment recommendations to prevent complications or recurrence. Focus may be on treating the underlying cause of anterior uveitis. MedicationsAnterior uveitis may be treated with:
ProceduresIf other treatment methods fail or symptoms worsen, surgery may be needed. It is important to follow up with your doctor and watch for signs of recurrence. PreventionThere are no current guidelines to prevent anterior uveitis. CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Association of Optometrists https://opto.ca Canadian Ophthalmological Society http://www.cos-sco.ca References:
Anterior uveitis. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T219075/Anterior-uveitis
. Updated December 3, 2014. Accessed December 14, 2017.
Facts about uveitis. National Eye Institute (NEI) website. Available at: https://nei.nih.gov/health/uveitis/uveitis. Updated August 2011. Accessed December 14, 2017. Iritis overview website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed December 14, 2017. Last reviewed November 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Michael Woods, MD, FAAP Last Updated: 6/11/2015 |
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