Medically reviewed by Dr. Niranjana Bejan Singh. Written to established clinical-education standards (AAO/Mayo/NHS/NEI) and adapted for this hospital. Not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye, most often involving the uvea — the iris, ciliary body, and choroid — though nearby structures can be affected too. It can cause eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, blurred vision, or floaters, and may occur once or become recurrent or chronic. Causes range from autoimmune conditions and infections to cases where no specific cause is found; medical management focuses on controlling the inflammation with steroid and, where needed, immunosuppressive medication, both to relieve symptoms and to prevent complications such as glaucoma, cataract, or permanent vision loss.
Who typically needs this
- Anyone diagnosed with anterior, intermediate, posterior, or panuveitis (inflammation in different parts of the eye) on eye examination needs a management plan tailored to the type and severity.
- Patients with recurrent or chronic uveitis often need a longer-term treatment strategy beyond a single course of eye drops.
- Uveitis linked to a systemic autoimmune condition (such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis) is usually managed jointly with a rheumatologist or physician.
- Cases that do not settle with topical steroid drops alone are stepped up to periocular, oral, or steroid-sparing immunosuppressive therapy.
What to expect
- A diagnostic work-up looks for an underlying cause, which may include a detailed eye exam, blood tests, or imaging; infection is ruled out before steroids are started, since steroids can worsen an untreated infection.
- Anterior uveitis is usually treated first with steroid eye drops, often combined with drops that dilate the pupil to reduce pain and prevent scarring.
- More severe, posterior, or non-responsive disease may need periocular (around-the-eye) or oral steroids, or a steroid-sparing immunosuppressive or biologic medication.
- Regular follow-up visits track the level of inflammation and adjust treatment intensity up or down accordingly.
- Treatment is individualised based on the cause, severity, and how the eye responds over time.
Recovery
- Symptoms typically start improving within days to a few weeks of starting appropriate treatment.
- Steroid treatment is tapered gradually rather than stopped suddenly, to reduce the chance of the inflammation flaring back up.
- Long-term follow-up watches for recurrence as well as for steroid-related side effects such as raised eye pressure or cataract.
- Patients on immunosuppressive medication need periodic blood tests and coordination with their physician or rheumatologist to monitor safety.
Risks to know about
- Steroid eye drops or tablets used for a prolonged period can raise eye pressure (leading to glaucoma) and accelerate cataract formation.
- Oral or systemic steroids carry body-wide side effects with long-term use, including weight gain, effects on blood sugar, and reduced bone density.
- Immunosuppressive and biologic medications require monitoring for infection risk and effects on organs such as the liver and kidneys.
- Under-treated or poorly controlled uveitis carries its own risk of permanent vision loss from complications such as glaucoma, cataract, or macular damage, which is why consistent follow-up matters.
Frequently asked questions
Is uveitis contagious?
No — uveitis itself does not spread from person to person, though a small proportion of cases are caused by an infection that needs to be identified and treated in its own right.
Will I need treatment for the rest of my life?
It depends on the cause — some cases resolve after a single course of treatment, while chronic or autoimmune-associated uveitis often needs ongoing, long-term management.
Why do I need blood tests for an eye problem?
Blood tests help identify an underlying infection or systemic autoimmune condition driving the inflammation, which guides the right treatment choice.
Can uveitis come back after it has been treated?
Yes, particularly chronic or autoimmune-associated forms — this is why regular follow-up continues even after symptoms settle.
Ready to see us?
Call the appointment desk, or book online — we will confirm your time by phone.
Sources consulted: AAO — What Is Uveitis?, Mayo Clinic — Uveitis: Diagnosis and Treatment, NHS — Uveitis . General medical information — not a substitute for professional diagnosis. Medically reviewed by Dr. Niranjana Bejan Singh.
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