Uvea and Ocular inflammation
The Uveal tract - consist of iris, ciliary body and choroid
Uveal tract is the vascular middle coat of the eye ball. It is highly vascular so the common conditions affecting the uveal tract are inflammatory in nature, which are collectively called uveitis. Rarely various infectious organisms can spread into the eye through the uveal tract. The uveal tract can also be involved in cancer.
Inflammation of the uveal tract is called uveitis. Uveitis, usually occurs in isolation or in association with systemic diseases, either an autoimmune disease or an infectious disease, hence the patients with uveitis are often treated in close coordination with internists and other specialists like rheumatologists, chest physicians and infectious disease specialists.
Red eye with pain with or without blurring of vision are the common symptoms of uveitis
Uveitis is often recurrent so constant review with the ophthalmologist is required, and self medication should be avoided, however tempting. Medical management of patients with uveitis involves continuous monitoring/control of ocular inflammation which may require systemic treatment with drugs such assteroids and immunosuppressives. It also needs close monitoring of the systemic disease in conjunction with the concerned specialists.
The well equipped operation theatre for performing complicated cataracts in post uveitis conditions, giving intra-vitreal injections along with facilities for retinal laser makes the Centre an ideal place for getting treated for uveal conditions.
This Centre has ophthalmologists and general physicians with laboratory and ocular imaging facilities for evaluating and treating uveitis and associated systemic conditions.
Please Note......
- Any red eye is best evaluated by an ophthalmologist
- Uveitis can be recurrent
- Uveitis is treated with steroids and immune modulating medication - orally or as drops
- Treating with steroids is not wrong or bad, as long it is prescribed by your doctor and used as prescribed
- Uveitis often needs large number of investigations to find a systemic cause