Uveitis: underlying causes, symptoms and treatment

1 Symptoms of the disease

Before you get acquainted with the symptoms of the disease, you need to understand what causes uveitis causes are the most common. Their list is quite extensive. Inflammation occurs in the case of infection or in metabolic disorders, decreased immunity, autoimmune processes. In addition, quite often uveitis of the eye acts as a secondary disease, in which the focus of inflammation is located on another site. In this case, the infection itself will spread by the so-called hematogenous pathway. This can contribute to sore throat, sinusitis, meningitis and a number of other diseases. Sometimes this disease makes itself felt with the injured eye.

But there are reasons that are most common. This concerns, first of all, pathological microorganisms and viruses. As a rule, inflammation appears in chlamydia, the herpes virus, toxoplasm, brucella. Quite often inflammation of the choroid of the eye accompanies such systemic diseases that are associated with connective tissue. These include rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatism. The occurrence of such a disease can affect and chronic internal ailments, which include diabetes. Sometimes it happens that even after the most thorough examination, the cause can not be determined.

Symptoms with uveitis are pronounced. If this inflammation is caused by an infectious disease, then its course will be acute. Similar signs appear if the uveitis is formed against a background of influenza or rheumatoid arthritis. Chronic uveitis is formed on the background of tuberculosis and collagenosis.

However, it often happens that a long time with uveitis the symptoms are almost invisible. The fact is that the vascular membrane of the organ of vision does not have nerve endings, for this reason, there may be no obvious signs for a long time. In this case, too, pain will not be revealed. Manifestations of the disease directly depend on the reason for the inflammation. Not the least role here is played by the amount of damage, the pathogenicity of microorganisms, and also the state of the patient's immune system.

If the patient has anterior uveitis, then during the initial stage the person will feel a "veil" or a fog in the eyes. At this time, there will be gravity in the affected eye, and visual acuity will gradually decrease. This period is important not to miss and immediately seek help from a specialist, if this is not done, the inflammation will result in redness of the eye. The patient will see worse, and the heaviness and pain will only increase. In addition, the patient will await some more unpleasant symptoms, namely, photophobia will manifest, and intraocular pressure will increase.

Discomfort will arise from constant lacrimation. If nothing is done, then such a disease can develop into blindness. Treatment is the surest way to prevent such a serious consequence.

If a person has a uveitis posterior, the signs will not appear immediately. Painful sensations will be absent for a long time, and the eye will not blush. But at the same time there will be a permanent deterioration of eyesight, so-called spots or fogging will appear before your eyes. If the disease is not treated, but to let everything go on its own, then to the listed symptoms will join the dull pain that will appear in the orbit. As a rule, such a process will mean that the optic nerve is inflamed.

2 Characteristic manifestations in children

Unfortunately, children often suffer from this disease. For the reason that they are sufficiently active, it is trauma that leads to the formation of uveitis. In addition, children can provoke this disease can and slowly flowing infection. Not only in an adult, but in the body of a baby can be an infection. It does not appear for a while.but under favorable conditions begins to develop.

It can be a herpes virus, as in adults. Only such a disease can be transmitted to the baby during the intrauterine period. For this reason, it is so important during pregnancy planning to try to cure the existing infectious diseases.

Quite often uveitis occurs in children with a metabolic disorder, if the baby's body has been weakened by certain diseases, to which include diabetes, tuberculosis or psoriasis. Inflammation occurs when the allergy is exacerbated.

If we talk about the symptoms, then the child will be almost the same as the adult. But still the signs of this ailment in babies will be even more insignificant, because of what it will be very difficult to recognize the disease. Therefore, it is important to contact the pediatrician from time to time to start treatment of uveitis in a timely manner.

But still some signs can make themselves felt. First of all, this is the redness of the eye that occurs during anterior inflammation. This means that the vessels of the iris are full of blood. Visual acuity too can decrease, the child becomes sensitive to light, there is a tear.

During the inflammation the retina swells, the vision decreases, the vision is distorted, light spots appear before the affected eye. But with such violations, pain sensations are most often absent. If the pain is not observed, but the above signs have appeared, then one should consult a specialist without any delay. This issue should deal with a children's ophthalmologist. The consequences can be as severe as those of adults. If within two months after the first symptoms showed up, do not take any action, then detachment of the retina occurs. In addition, without proper treatment, inflammation will spread to a healthy eye.

There are several types of this disease. They directly depend on the localization of the disease. So, if the anterior section of the vascular membrane becomes inflamed, then such a deviation is usually called irit, at which the iris changes in color, as well as the shape and color of the pupil. Sometimes there is pain syndrome.

When the sharpness and field of vision changes, it speaks of choroiditis, that is, a back inflammation that does not appear to be outwardly apparent, therefore it is so difficult to determine. Also, there will be no pain. If the focus of infection is located in the eye bottom, namely, in its center, visual acuity may be impaired.

In the case of panoveitis, all parts of the choroid are inflamed. The course of the disease depends on the complexity of the inflammation, which can be acute, recurrent or chronic.

3 Diagnosis and treatment tactic

Before starting treatment, it is very important to start with a correct diagnosis, which only an experienced doctor can do. In doing so, he will determine how common inflammation is. This can be determined only as a result of examination by an ophthalmologist. To confirm the diagnosis, you should go through a procedure such as biomicroscopy, in which the front of the eye is examined. During such a survey, the structure of the organ of vision is examined using a special device.

Ophthalmoscopy is also prescribed, at which the eye fundus is studied due to a special ophthalmoscope. During the procedure, the retina of the eye is examined, the evaluation of the optic nerve and eye vessel takes place. The doctor can appoint and ultrasound to carefully examine the eyeball.

In the appointment of treatment, an important role is played by the very reason that caused the appearance of uveitis. To identify it, the blood test is assigned. This will help determine the disease that led to inflammation.

It is important to understand that treatment for such a disease is simply necessary, because inaction can lead to serious consequences. Without adequate therapy, the lens of the eye may become cloudy, that is, there is a cataract, due to which vision is disturbed, and even there is a possibility of its complete loss. Complication can occur in the form of secondary glaucoma, the formation of fusion, and also in the form of other very serious consequences.

Of course, only an ophthalmologist should treat this disease. Only if treatment is appointed by a specialist, these complications can be avoided. But an important role is played also by a timely appeal to the doctor. But self-medication is highly discouraged.

The treatment the doctor prescribes, based on the cause that led to uveitis. If an infection is detected, then antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. These can be drops, ointments or parabulbar injections.

4 What else is applicable?

The doctor may prescribe and systemic therapy. Here you can not do without the means that extend the pupil. Very important is this drug, when the patient has anterior uveitis. Medicines must be taken already in the first days of the disease.

Therapy, as a rule, consists in taking corticosteroids. Anterior inflammation is treated with the hormonal drugs of this group, but in the posterior uveitis, corticosteroids are given in the form of injections, which are injected into the lower eyelid. In the case when such treatment does not bring a proper result, Cyclosporin is prescribed.

During the appointment of therapy, an inflammation pathogen is taken into account.

If it is a question of syphilis uveitis, then Erythromycin, Doxycycline is needed. During the leptospirosis, Sulfon or Gamma Globulin is used. If the disease appeared with tuberculosis, Isoniazid will help. When uveitis is caused by toxoplasmosis, it is treated with Sulfadimezin.

Therefore, it is so important to determine the cause of the disease, if it is not done, then the treatment will be wrong and will not bring any result. During this diagnosis, vasodilator drugs, immunostimulants can be prescribed. Physiotherapy can give an excellent result. If the patient has increased intraocular pressure, then drugs should be used against glaucoma.

5 Conclusion on the topic

How long the treatment will last depends on the causative agent that provoked the disease. If uveitis has a complication that has begun to progress actively, it is simply impossible to do without surgical intervention. But such a measure is rarely used, only with a running form. In this case, microsurgery is recommended. This procedure is improved, and it is considered very effective. The modern method is carried out quickly and helps in a short time to recover to the patient. The main thing is to consult a doctor in a timely manner and not carry out the treatment yourself.