Uvea

Specialist Care for Inflammation Deep Inside the Eye

The uvea is the middle layer of the eye — a richly vascularised structure that includes the iris, the ciliary body, and the choroid. When any part of the uvea becomes inflamed, the condition is called uveitis. It can be painful, vision-threatening, and — if not managed correctly — can lead to serious and permanent complications including cataract, glaucoma, and even blindness. At RGC Eye Hospital, our uveitis specialists provide expert diagnosis and management of this complex and often challenging condition.

What Is Uveitis?

Uveitis is inflammation of the uveal tract — the vascular middle layer of the eye. It can affect the front of the eye (anterior uveitis or iritis), the middle (intermediate uveitis), the back (posterior uveitis), or the entire uveal tract (panuveitis). The inflammation can be caused by infection, autoimmune disease, systemic inflammatory conditions, or it may have no identifiable cause. Regardless of the origin, prompt and appropriate treatment is essential to control the inflammation, relieve symptoms, and protect vision.

Symptoms of Uveitis

• Eye pain or aching — often worse when focusing on near objects
• Redness — particularly around the coloured part of the eye
• Light sensitivity — sometimes severe
• Blurred vision that may fluctuate
• Floaters — dark spots or threads drifting across the field of vision
• A small or irregularly shaped pupil

How We Diagnose and Treat Uveitis

Thorough Assessment

Diagnosing uveitis correctly requires a careful and detailed examination of all structures within the eye, combined with a thorough review of your general health, current medications, and any associated systemic conditions. Blood tests and imaging may be needed to identify an underlying cause.

Identifying the Cause

Uveitis can be associated with a wide range of systemic diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and toxoplasmosis among many others. Identifying and treating the underlying cause — where one exists — is an essential part of managing the eye condition effectively.

Treatment

The mainstay of uveitis treatment is steroid eye drops, which reduce the inflammation inside the eye. Depending on the type and severity of uveitis, additional treatments may include dilating drops, steroid injections around or inside the eye, oral medications, or immunosuppressive therapy for chronic or recurrent cases.

Long-term Monitoring

Uveitis can recur, and its complications — including cataract, glaucoma, and macular oedema — require ongoing vigilance. We schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor your eye carefully and intervene promptly if any complications begin to develop.

Why Patients Trust RGC Eye Hospital

• Specialist uveitis care from ophthalmologists experienced in managing this complex condition
• A systematic approach to identifying and treating the underlying cause wherever possible
• Comprehensive monitoring for complications including cataract, glaucoma, and macular oedema
• Close collaboration with rheumatologists and other specialists when systemic disease is involved