Uveitis symptoms can include blurred vision, eye pain and light sensitivity. They can also lead to cataracts and glaucoma (high eye pressure). A doctor may be able to treat these problems with medicines.
Treatment for uveitis typically starts with medicine to control inflammation in the eye. Then your doctor may focus on the underlying cause of your uveitis, if any. If the uveitis is caused by an infection, your provider may prescribe antibiotics, antivirals and other medications to fight the bacteria or virus that causes it.
Your ophthalmologist may also order blood tests, skin tests or X-rays to find out what is causing your uveitis. The ophthalmologist may also refer you to a rheumatologist or a specialized doctor for treatment of an autoimmune disease or other condition that may be contributing to your uveitis.
Symptoms vary widely, depending on the type of uveitis you have and the severity of your symptoms. Some people can get their uveitis under control within months, but others might have it for years. It’s important to have treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your eyes and your vision.
Drugs that relieve your symptoms and control the underlying condition can help you recover quickly. They can also reduce your risk of developing other eye diseases, such as cataracts and glaucoma. Your doctor may prescribe medicines, such as corticosteroids and dilating eyedrops.
You’ll need to take a course of medication for several months. These drugs can ease your symptoms, reduce swelling and prevent scarring of the eye. They can also help slow down the progress of uveitis and stop it from worsening.
Your ophthalmologist will perform a full ophthalmic exam, with a special slit lamp to look at your eye. They’ll look for signs of white blood cells in your cornea or the vitreous gel substance inside your eye. They’ll check for floaters, swollen iris or ciliary body, and other symptoms.
If you have anterior uveitis, your doctor will likely prescribe dilating eye drops to widen the pupil and relax the muscles that trigger your eye twitches. They may also give you steroids, which are strong anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce swelling and pain.
A steroid injected into your eye, or a pill taken by mouth, can also help. You’ll have regular visits to your ophthalmologist to have them monitor your uveitis and test your eyes regularly for any problems.
Another option for treating uveitis is a procedure called Retisert, which is a small device that’s surgically implanted in your eye and slowly releases a medicine that eases your symptoms. It’s a same-day outpatient procedure and a treatment that Yale Medicine specialists frequently perform for patients with severe uveitis.
Medications that target your immune system, such as methotrexate, can control chronic uveitis by reducing the inflammation caused by an autoimmune disorder or other problem in your body. These medications have few side effects and are good for long-term use.
Immunosuppressive medications that calm your immune system may be prescribed if your uveitis isn’t responding to treatment with steroids or if it becomes too severe. These medications can affect other parts of your body and can have serious side effects, such as glaucoma and cataracts.
