What Causes Vision Loss from Uveitis?
Uveitis is a common cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States and in the world. Uveitis may cause blurry and reduced vision. When treated, vision may recover. In some cases, mostly in intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis and panuveitis, where inflammation is recurrent and chronic, damage to the eye can occur, particularly to the retina and optic nerve, and cause permanent visual loss. Cystoid Macular Edema (CME) This is a complication seen in intermediate uveitis, posterior uveitis, and panuveitis. The leading cause of decreased vision which may lead to permanent visual loss is the development of CME – swelling of the macula which is the most sensitive part of the eye for vision needed for driving, reading and detailed work. If the swelling does not respond to treatment and is long standing, the sensitive cells under the fluid can eventually die. Other causes are swelling of the optic nerve. With the nerve swollen, messages from the retina cannot effectively get to the
