Uveitis: How It Works, Explained Simply

Video Transcript

Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye. It is not an infection of the surface like pink eye, and it needs proper assessment. The name comes from the uvea, the middle layer of the eye that includes the iris and the tissues behind it. When this layer becomes inflamed, white blood cells and protein spill into the clear fluid inside the eye. That can cause eye pain, redness deep around the coloured part, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and new floaters. Uveitis is described by where it occurs. Inflammation at the front is the most common form, while inflammation at the back involves the retina and can quietly threaten sight. Sometimes it follows an injury or an infection. It can also be linked with autoimmune conditions elsewhere in the body, and often no cause is found. A painful red eye with light sensitivity should be examined promptly, because untreated inflammation can lead to glaucoma, cataract, or lasting damage. Treatment usually starts with steroid eye drops to calm the inflammation, plus drops that relax the pupil for comfort. More severe cases may need tablets or injections, and any underlying condition is treated too. This video is for general education only. It is not medical advice. Ask your eye doctor what's right for you.