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One of the most important goals we have as clinicians and eye care experts is to educate the public on eye conditions and the power of prompt treatment to prevent lasting damage. Your eyes are your window to the world, and sometimes a seemingly small problem can actually cause severe damage. Uveitis is a condition that can cause permanent vision loss if not treated promptly. Below we’ll explore what uveitis is and why seeing an ophthalmologist right away can prevent further complication.
What Is Uveitis?
Uveitis is a condition of the middle layer of the eye, or the uvea, causing inflammation and redness that may often be confused for less serious conditions, such as pink eye or conjunctivitis. Those suffering from uveitis may experience the following uveitis symptoms: very red eyes, pain, swelling, blurry vision, and general eye irritation as the swelling increases. Uveitis primarily impacts adults, but can also happen to children. As compared to conjunctivitis or pink eye, uveitis is less likely to produce discharge or itchy eyes and it is not contagious. If left untreated, uveitis can lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness in one or both eyes.
If you are experiencing painful, red eyes and think you may be suffering from uveitis, please contact an OCLI Vision clinic right away.
Uveitis Causes
Uveitis occurs for a few different reasons, including infection, injuries and trauma, and due to autoimmune conditions, among other things. Infections can take many forms, including viral, bacterial, and fungal, but not all will develop into uveitis. Uveitis is known to be a related condition for individuals suffering from certain autoimmune conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, sarcoidosis, Lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Some people may also develop the condition after surgery or from taking certain medications.
Ultimately, anything that causes inflammation in the middle layer of the eye can lead to uveitis. It is always wise to keep a close eye on your eyes after experiencing any infections, injuries, surgeries, and when taking medications that affect the eyes to ensure you catch changes that may indicate a more severe problem. Catching uveitis early is vital to preventing permanent vision loss.
Uveitis Treatment Options:
When caught early, uveitis can be treated and easily managed with help from an ophthalmologist. The minute you suspect a problem with your eyes, get in touch with your eye doctor to expedite treatment. There are a few different ways to treat uveitis, depending on a diagnostic exam and what may be the cause of the condition.
Treatments include:
- Corticosteroids (drops, oral, injections) which are used to reduce inflammation; however, since the condition impacts the middle layer of the eye, eyedrops may not be sufficient to reduce swelling completely. In that case, your eye care doctor may prescribe an injection or oral corticosteroid.
- Immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune and chronic conditions is used when the condition is impacting both eyes or has become severe.
- Medication to treat the underlying condition may be employed if the uveitis is directly caused by an infection or other easily identifiable condition.
- Methotrexate is a medication used to treat chronic or recurrent uveitis.
How Methotrexate Works for Uveitis
Methotrexate is being used to treat chronic uveitis or uveitis that has not responded to corticosteroids. This drug works as an immunosuppressant, suppressing the body’s inflammatory response, thus decreasing the amount of swelling in the eye. The drug can be administered orally or through an injection in the eye. The one downside of the drug is that it is slow acting, meaning the full effects may not be obvious until several weeks to months. This requires close monitoring from you and your eye doctor to ensure that the condition does not get worse in the meantime. Ideally, patients can benefit from long-term relief from uveitis with methotrexate.
Methotrexate Side Effects
Generally, the drug is tolerated well and has fewer side effects than high-dose steroids for most patients. However, that does not mean it is without side effects. Possible methotrexate side effects may include, nausea, hair loss, fatigue or headaches, and mouth ulcers, among other things. More serious complications, such as liver toxicity, are rare but can still occur so your doctor may suggest regular labs if you will be taking the medication for a long period of time.
How to Tell if Uveitis is Healing
When monitoring uveitis, it is important to know what signs indicate the condition is improving, and the signs that indicate further intervention is necessary. Improvements in symptoms can range from experiencing less pain and reduced redness to having clearer vision. It may be helpful to take pictures of your eyes to determine if the redness has actually decreased or if you have just gotten used to it. Any eye care professional will be able to see decreased inflammation during an eye exam, so it’s important to also attend all of your follow-up appointments.
If you are not noticing any changes or some of your symptoms have become worse, contact the OCLI Vision team today to meet with a qualified ophthalmologist.
When to Seek Help
Your eyes are quite resilient and today’s technology and tools allow eye care doctors to protect and repair eyes in new and innovative ways. However, that does not mean you should wait to get care! With any condition that has the potential to cause permanent vision loss, it is vital to seek care from a professional as soon as you know something is wrong. If your eyes have been red and painful for a day or more, it is time to visit the eye doctor.
Additionally, if you are undergoing treatment for uveitis, you should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Increase in pain or pressure
- Loss of vision or worsening vision
- An increase or sudden appearance of floaters in your vision
- Flashes of light or a sensitivity to light
- Increases in redness
Get Expert Uveitis Care at OCLI Vision
The doctors and staff at OCLI Vision are standing by to offer evaluation and care management for uveitis and a host of conditions impacting the structures of the eye. We have a patient-first approach to care and will do our best to get your vision back to normal as fast as possible. Do not risk losing your vision, call the OCLI Vision office nearest you today to start treatment for uveitis.
