How is uveitis treated?
Untreated uveal inflammation can lead to blindness. Cataract, glaucoma, retinal scarring, retinal detachment, optic nerve damage and atrophy or shrinkage of the eye are some of the potential complications of persistent uveitis. Many patients with uveitis have good vision as their disease is managed by medicines and eye drops. A careful medical history, including family, social and sexual history, is important in the uveitis patient. Evaluation of uveitis is directed toward the diagnosis and identification of possible underlying causes of the disease. Bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa or other agents along with abnormalities of the immune system can cause uveitis. Testing may involve blood tests, X-rays, special ocular studies or evaluation by other skilled medical consultants beyond ophthalmology. A full medical evaluation may reveal an inflammatory disease that has involved other organs besides the eye. Examples of this include sarcoidosis, rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions
