What is JIA-associated Uveitis?
Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea, the layer between the sclera and the retina. Uveitis can occur spontaneously as a standalone disorder or it can be caused by infections or autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues and organs, in this case, the uvea. One such disease is juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a type of autoimmune arthritis in children, hence the term JIA-associated uveitis. If the inflammation is not treated promptly, scarring and vision problems develop, including glaucoma, cataracts, and, eventually, loss of vision. Uveitis can occur during or after JIA, and even after the disease is under control and there aren’t other symptoms. Symptoms Uveitis may not have obvious symptoms, and symptoms tend to develop slowly. Sometimes, children might say the light bothers them or they have blurred vision. If your child has been diagnosed with JIA, it is very important to see a pediatric ophthalmologist regularly and pay attention to t
