Uveitis

Uveitis is inflammation in the eye.

This inflammation (or reaction) often helps in the healing, but often the eye overreacts and the inflammation causes damage to the eye, even if the primary cause has gone.

Causes

It can be difficult to find the specific cause and often it is not found
1. Systemic disease Which can include? Dogs - cancer Cats - viruses
2. Trauma This may have occurred months before initial signs of uveitis
3. Cataracts Mature cataracts or following a scratch in the eye
4. Lens rupture
5. Overactive immune system Autoimmune disease

Management

1. The primary cause needs to be investigated & treated in some cases. If both eyes are involved and the patient shows any signs of a general illness then further investigations are indicated. This will generally be done in conjunction with your local veterinarian. This may involve blood tests, X rays and perhaps other special tests.

2. Medical treatment of the inflammation in the form of tablets and drops. In sever cases we may need to inject cortisone directly onto the eye whilst the patient is sedated. This will give the eye the best chance of responding. In some cases we will inject TPA (tissue plasminogen activator) into the eye to help clear the inflammation in the eyes.

3. Watch for recurrence. Check the eye for redness of the white of the eye, a cloudy look to the eye, and for a small pupil. This can in some cases develop months after the uveitis has first occurred.

Complications

Remember this may not be apparent until late after initial disease

1. Vision loss leading to blindness
2. Cataracts Cloudiness of the lens – can cause vision loss
3. Glaucoma Increased pressure in the eye - can cause pain & vision loss
4. Adhesions of the iris Synechiae
5. Shrinkage of the eye Phthsis bulbi
6. Pigment change Colour changes in the eye