Uveitis of the eye - causes, symptoms, treatment. Ocular uveitis is a complex and dangerous disease.

Uveitis - inflammation choroid eyes (uveal tract). This disease is common cause low vision and blindness (about 25%). If you have uveitis, you should urgently consult an ophthalmologist. The main symptoms of the disease are “fog” before the eyes, blurred vision (even possible total blindness), eye redness, photophobia and lacrimation

Symptoms

A characteristic feature of the choroid is the absence nerve endings, therefore uveitis for a long time may occur without obvious symptoms and are not accompanied by the appearance pain. Manifestations of the disease depend on the cause of uveitis, the extent of the lesion, the pathogenicity of microorganisms and the condition immune system sick.

Anterior uveitis in initial stage The disease can manifest itself as a feeling of “veil”, a slight “fog” before the eyes, which is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the eye and a gradual decrease in visual acuity. If the patient does not see a doctor, as the inflammation progresses, severe redness of the eye appears, vision continues to decline, heaviness and pain in the eye intensify, and indicated symptoms Photophobia, lacrimation, and increased intraocular pressure occur. In severe advanced cases of uveitis, blindness may be a possible outcome of the disease.

Posterior uveitis is characterized by a late onset of symptoms, absence of pain, and no redness of the eyes. There is a gradual progressive deterioration of vision, with the appearance of a “fogginess” or “spot” in front of the affected eye. As inflammation progresses, weak ones may join dull pain in the depths of the eye socket. Usually this sign indicates involvement in the inflammatory process optic nerve.

Reasons

Most often, the disease occurs due to hypothermia, impaired immunity, metabolism and autoimmune processes, due to the fact that the choroid is involved in inflammation.

If inflammation appears in the anterior parts of the choroid, then the patient is diagnosed with “anterior uveitis,” which affects the ciliary body and the iris of the eye. In the case when the inflammatory focus forms in the posterior parts of the uveal tract, the diagnosis is characterized as posterior uveitis, which negatively affects the optic nerve, retina and choroid. However, there are cases when inflammation affects all uveal tracts, then such pathological condition called panuveitis. In most cases, the disease affects one eye, and peripheral uveitis causes floaters and reduces vision in both eyes.

Very often the causes of the disease are various infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, syphilis, chlamydia, toxoplasmosis and brucellosis.

Unfortunately, the disease can be caused even systemic diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatism, Reiter's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis etc. Oddly enough, sometimes uveitis is caused by reasons that even experienced specialists cannot determine.

Treatment

The treatment regimen for uveitis depends on the etiology and type of disease. However, for any form of inflammation symptomatic treatment uveitis involves preventing structure destruction vitreous eyes and lens. For this purpose, the patient is prescribed solutions of Atropine, Scopolamine, Adrenaline, etc.

In the drug treatment of uveitis streptococcal etiology antibiotics are used wide range actions, corticosteroids and vitamin therapy. Fading inflammatory process occurs approximately on the 3-5th day of treatment for ocular uveitis.

For ocular uveitis due to toxoplasmosis, therapy is carried out with Sulfadimezine and Chloridine. Treatment of uveitis of this form continues for at least 2 weeks with constant monitoring of the patient’s kidney and blood condition.

Uveitis of tuberculous etiology is treated with anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy. In especially severe cases, with significant destruction of the vitreous body of the eye, surgical treatment of uveitis is sometimes required.

As a rule, the treatment of pathology is an extensive set of measures. Treatment methods depend on the etiology of the process and its localization:

  • antimicrobial and antiviral drugs;
  • anti-inflammatory drugs (nonspecific) - corticosteroids, amidopyrine;
  • antihistamines (suprastin, tavegil, pipolfen);
  • means to strengthen blood vessels (rutin);
  • antimicrobial and antiviral agents; absorbent drugs - such as potassium iodide;
  • neurotropes (vitamins B, dibazol);
  • cycloplegics (for example, mezaton).

Except drug treatment, physioreflexotherapy is prescribed. Sometimes shown surgery(both traditional and laser surgery). Treatment of uveitis requires medical examination of the patient; after completion of treatment, patients who have had inflammation of the choroid should undergo dispensary observation, the period of which is at least two years.

Folk remedies

Treatment of uveitis with folk remedies should be carried out with extreme caution, otherwise the situation may worsen.

  1. Chamomile solution is used to treat uveitis. Chamomile is brewed at the rate of 3 tablespoons per 1 cup of boiling water. The solution is infused for 1 hour, then filtered and the eyes are washed with it. Treatment of uveitis with folk remedies can also be carried out using an infusion of rose hips, calendula and sage.
  2. An infusion of dry aloe leaves has been well recommended in the treatment of uveitis. You can also use fresh aloe juice, diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 10.
  3. A machine of water is poured into 3-4 boats of crushed marshmallow. The solution is infused for 8 hours and used for lotions and eye rinsing.

Anterior uveitis

What are possible symptoms anterior uveitis (iritis, iridocyclitis)? The first sign of inflammation of the choroid, which may attract attention, is a small and sometimes pronounced corneal syndrome, i.e. photophobia, lacrimation, blepharospasm, redness of the eye with purple tint(pericorneal injection).

By immediately checking the patient’s vision, you can make sure that it is somewhat reduced and does not improve with the use of weak positive or negative glasses. During an eye examination with lateral illumination or biomicroscopy, one can detect “fogging” (dullness) of the corneal endothelium, as well as precipitates varying in number, size, shape, tone (color), and exudate in the aqueous humor of the anterior chamber, varying in type and quantity ( serous, purulent, etc.).

The iris can be discolored, full-blooded (edematous, hyperemic) with newly formed vessels, lumpy (granulomas).

The pupil may be constricted and its reaction to light may be slow. During the “play” of the pupil during lighting and darkening, and later during its expansion with mydriatics, posterior synechiae (adhesions of the pupillary edge of the iris with the anterior lens capsule) and exudate deposits on the lens can be detected.

Finally, with light palpation eyeball its pain is revealed. In addition, there may be a general depressed, restless, uncomfortable state of the patient.

All these symptoms indicate inflammation of the choroid. But to determine whether it is anterior uveitis or more widespread, ophthalmoscopy is performed. If the vitreous body is transparent and there are no changes in the fundus, then the diagnosis of anterior uveitis is beyond doubt.

Uveitis is an inflammation of the choroid of the eye, which manifests itself as pain, hypersensitivity to light, lacrimation, blurred vision.

The uveal tract has complex structure, located between the sclera and the retina, looks like a bunch of grapes. It consists of vessels that supply the eyes nutrients. The uveal tract is formed by the iris, vitreous and ciliary bodies, and the choroid itself.

Classification of the disease

According to anatomical structure uveal tract is isolated the following types uveitis:

  • Front. The development of inflammation in the iris and vitreous body is characteristic. This is the most common type of disease, which can occur in the form of iritis, anterior cyclitis,;
  • Intermediate. Inflammation affects the ciliary body, retina, vitreous body, and choroid. The pathology occurs in the form of posterior cyclitis, pars planitis;
  • Rear. Damage to the choroid, retina, and optic nerve is typical. Depending on the location of the pathological process, chorioretinitis, retinitis, choroiditis, neurouveitis may occur;
  • Generalized. The inflammatory process affects all parts of the uveal tract. In such cases, they talk about the development of panuveitis.

Depending on the nature of inflammation, 4 forms of pathology are distinguished:

  1. Serous;
  2. Purulent;
  3. Fibrinous-plastic;
  4. Mixed.

By etiological factors Uveitis is usually divided into:

  • Endogenous. Infectious agents enter the eye through the bloodstream;
  • Exogenous. Infection occurs as a result of injury to the choroid of the eye.

Uveitis can develop as primary disease when it is not preceded by pathological processes. Secondary uveitis is distinguished when the pathology occurs against the background of other eye diseases.

According to the nature of the flow, they are distinguished:

  • acute process, the duration of which does not exceed 3 months;
  • chronic pathology that lasts more than 3-4 months;
  • recurrent uveitis, when after complete recovery inflammation of the uveal tract develops again.

Etiological factors

Highlight following reasons development of uveitis:

  • bacterial infection caused by streptococci, staphylococci, chlamydia, toxoplasma, tubercle bacilli, Brucella, treponema pallidum, leptospira;
  • viral infection: herpes virus (including the pathogen chickenpox), cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, HIV;
  • fungal infection;
  • the presence of foci of chronic infection - tonsillitis, caries, sinusitis;
  • development of sepsis;
  • autoimmune diseases (rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus, spondyloarthritis, nonspecific ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, polychondritis, interstitial nephritis, glomerulonephritis);
  • eye injuries, burns, foreign bodies;
  • hormonal imbalances;
  • eye damage from chemical reagents;
  • genetic predisposition;
  • development of hay fever, food allergies;
  • metabolic disorders.

The disease often develops in patients who have a history of other eye pathologies. In childhood and old age, infectious uveitis is mainly diagnosed, which occurs against the background of allergies or stressful situations.

Symptoms of the disease

The clinical picture depends on the localization of the inflammatory process, the state of the immune system, and the nature of the disease. In acute anterior uveitis, patients report the following symptoms:

  • soreness and redness of the affected eye;
  • constriction of the pupil;
  • increased lacrimation;
  • photophobia;
  • decreased visual acuity and clarity;
  • increased

For chronic inflammation anterior section The uveal tract is characterized by an asymptomatic course. Only in some cases do patients notice slight redness of the eyeballs and the appearance of dots in front of the eyes.

A characteristic sign of peripheral uveitis is damage to both eyes. Patients complain of decreased central vision and the appearance of “floaters” before the eyes.

The following symptoms are typical for posterior uveitis:

  • feeling of blurred vision;
  • objects become distorted;
  • the appearance of floating spots before the eyes;
  • decreased visual acuity.

It is also possible to develop macular edema, optical neuropathy, macular ischemia, retinal detachment.

Diagnostic measures

Diagnosis of uveitis is carried out by an ophthalmologist. Within initial appointment a specialist must examine the eyes, check visual acuity, visual fields, and conduct tonometry to determine the value of intraocular pressure.

Additionally, the following studies are carried out:

  • Ultrasound of the eye;
  • study of pupillary reaction;
  • biomicroscopy, which involves examining the eye using a slit lamp;
  • gonioscopy, which allows you to determine the angle of the anterior chamber;
  • . The study is carried out to study the fundus of the eye;
  • fluorescein angiography of the retina;
  • tomography various structures eyes if necessary;
  • electroretinography;
  • rheoophthalmography, which allows you to measure the speed of blood flow in the vessels of the eyes.

Features of treatment

Drug therapy for anterior and posterior uveitis involves the use of the following groups of drugs:

  1. Broad-spectrum antibiotics (fluoroquinolones, macrolides, cephalosporins). Drugs can be administered subconjunctivally, intravitreally, or parenterally. The choice of a suitable antibiotic depends on the type of pathogen, its sensitivity to drugs;
  2. Antiviral drugs are prescribed for the treatment of uveitis of viral origin. Widely used: while taking Viferon or Cycloferon. Medicines prescribed in the form of intravitreal injections or taken orally;
  3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticosteroids allow short terms stop inflammation. Dexamethasone or prednisolone drops are prescribed subconjunctivally, Ibuprofen, Movalis or Butadione are taken orally;
  4. Immunosuppressants are used when anti-inflammatory treatment is ineffective. Cyclosporine and Methotrexate are indicated, which can suppress immune reactions;
    To prevent the occurrence of adhesions, drops of Cyclopentolate, Tropicamide, Atropine are recommended;
  5. Fibrinolytics have a resolving effect. Widely used: Gemaza, Lidazu, Wobenzym;
  6. Complex multivitamins;
  7. Antihistamines: Claritin, Lorano, Cetrin, Clemastin, Suprastin.

If drug therapy helped eliminate acute inflammation, then physiotherapeutic treatment is indicated. High efficiency have electrophoresis, infitatherapy, laser irradiation blood, vacuum pulse massage, phototherapy, phonophoresis, laser coagulation, cryotherapy.

Surgical intervention

Development of complications or severe course uveitis requires surgical treatment. The operation may include the following steps:

  • dissection of the commissure between the iris and the lens;
  • removal of the vitreous, glaucoma or;
  • soldering of the retina using a laser;
  • removal of the eyeball.

Surgery does not always have a favorable outcome. In some cases, surgery causes an exacerbation of the inflammatory process.

Traditional medicine methods

During the treatment of uveitis, some folk recipes. However, before any manipulation you need to consult your doctor.

The following recipes will help effectively eliminate inflammation:

  • eye wash medicinal decoction. It is necessary to take equal quantities of chamomile, calendula, and sage flowers. Grind the raw materials. Take 3 tablespoons of the mixture and pour a glass of boiling water. The composition is infused for 1 hour. Strain the resulting product and rinse the eyes with the decoction;
  • aloe juice is diluted cold boiled water in a ratio of 1:10. The resulting solution is dripped 1 drop no more than 3 times a day into the affected eye;
  • marshmallow root lotions. The raw materials should be crushed, pour 3-4 tablespoons of 200 ml cold water. The product is infused for 8 hours, then used for lotions.

Complications and prognosis

In the absence effective treatment uveitis can lead to the development of serious eye diseases:

  • cataracts, in which the lens becomes cloudy;
  • damage to the retina up to its;
  • , developing due to impaired outflow of fluid inside the eye;
  • persistent vitreous opacification;
  • damage to the optic nerve;
  • pupillary fusion, in which the pupil stops responding to light due to adherence to the lens.

With timely and complex therapy acute inflammation The patient's eyes can be completely cured in 3-6 weeks. However, chronic uveitis is prone to relapses when the underlying pathology worsens, which significantly complicates therapy and worsens the prognosis.

Uveitis is a pathology of the uvea of ​​the eye. inflammatory in nature which can lead to complete loss of vision. Therefore, it is so important to diagnose and begin treatment of the disease in time. Huge value has disease prevention, which involves timely therapy pathological processes in the body, eliminating household eye injuries, allergization of the body.

Ocular uveitis is a large group of diseases characterized by inflammation of the choroid of the organ of vision. The membrane is located between the retina and the sclera; its structure is complex. It has three departments. These are the iris, the ciliary (celiac) body and the thin membrane (choroid), which is adjacent to the sclera and consists of blood vessels. The choroid performs a number of important functions:

    protection from excessive light;

    participation in (viewing objects at various distances);

    production of intraocular fluid;

    intraocular pressure support;

    regulation of metabolism in the organ of vision;

    thermoregulatory function.

It is obvious that the violation coordinated work choroid of the eye leads to serious consequences for the entire organ. Uveitis is one of the most common eye diseases. This pathology occupies 30% of all diseases of the organs of vision.

Causes of the disease

Varieties

Depending on the duration, the disease can be acute or chronic (more than six weeks) in nature.

Based on the location of the inflammation, uveitis is divided into four forms:



Symptoms

Manifestations of uveitis are determined by the pathogenicity of the infection, the location of the source of inflammation and, of course, the body’s ability to resist infection. Symptoms of iritis or acute uveitis are light fog before the eyes, redness of the eyeball, increased intraocular pressure, lacrimation, and blurred vision. Manifestations of other forms of the disease, as a rule, are mild or the disease is completely asymptomatic. Usually in this case there is no redness of the organs of vision, pain, or rapid blindness. Vision deteriorates gradually, and a veil or spot is felt before the eyes.

Acute ocular uveitis is especially dangerous. The disease progresses very quickly, and late diagnosis can lead to blindness.

Diagnostics

Uveitis can be detected quite early. Timely start competent treatment will help overcome the disease. Diagnosis is carried out exclusively by an ophthalmologist. In order to correctly establish and confirm the diagnosis, specialists use the following methods:



Treatment

IN medical practice in a special place there is sluggish uveitis of the eye - this is one of the first signs developing disease when the color of the iris changes. Treatment in this case is aimed at speedy resolution of the opacities and elimination of the underlying disease. If you do not pay attention to the first symptoms in time, changes in the color of the iris will be replaced by dystrophy, and then the disintegration of the iris. At timely treatment vision is completely restored, otherwise it is completely lost.

When identifying the infectious nature of the disease, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs in the form of ointments, drops, which are prescribed locally, as well as in the form of tablets and injections for systemic therapy. In addition, it is necessary to use drops that dilate the pupil. It is also recommended to use vasodilators, immunostimulants, and physiotherapeutic treatment has a positive effect. If the patient has increased intraocular pressure, prescribe the use of antiglaucoma drugs.

Uveitis of the eyes: treatment with folk remedies

To eliminate the disease, you can use proven recipes traditional medicine:

1. Pour three tablespoons of calendula into a glass of boiling water and leave for an hour. Strain the infusion and rinse sore eyes. For the same purpose you can use sage and rose hips.

2. Every morning, treat your eyes with a weak solution of potassium manganese. It is necessary to prepare a new solution every day; to avoid transmission of infection, use separate sterile cotton wool for each eye.

3. To wash the organs of vision, prepare an infusion of dry aloe leaves. You can also use fresh plant juice, after diluting it with boiled water in a ratio of 1:10.

4. To three to four tablespoons (chopped) add a glass of cold boiled water, mix and leave for eight hours. Use the resulting composition for compresses on the eyes.

Uveitis of the eye enough serious illness, which leads to irreversible consequences, therefore it requires emergency treatment. If there is slight redness of the organ of vision that does not go away within a few days, you should consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. After the examination it will be determined correct diagnosis and necessary treatment is prescribed.

Monitor your health, do not ignore the first symptoms of illness. Be healthy!

Uveitis refers to a whole group of eye diseases associated with inflammation in the choroid of the eye (another name is the uveal tract).

The choroid or uvea is represented by three components: the iris (in Latin iris), the ciliary body or ciliary body (in Latin corpus ciliare) and the choroid proper (in Latin chorioidea).

Depending on the location of inflammation, there are following forms uveitis: cyclitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, chorioretinitis, choroiditis, etc. The main danger of this group of diseases is possible consequences in the form of blindness or low vision.

The occurrence of this disease is facilitated by the fact that the vasculature of the eye is very widespread, and the blood flow in the uveal tract is slow, which can lead to the retention of microorganisms in the choroid.

Under certain conditions, these microorganisms can lead to inflammation. The occurrence and development of inflammation is also influenced by other features of the choroid, in particular, different blood supply and innervation of its different structures:

  • the anterior section (iris and ciliary body) is supplied with blood through the anterior ciliary and posterior long arteries, and is innervated by the ciliary fibers of the first branch of the trigeminal nerve;
  • the posterior section (choroid) is supplied with blood by the posterior short ciliary arteries and is characterized by the absence of sensory innervation.

These features determine separate lesions of the anterior and posterior parts of the uveal tract. Either one department or the other may suffer.

Types of disease

  1. According to the anatomical principle, uveitis is divided into anterior, intermediate (or median, peripheral), posterior and generalized forms.
  • Anterior uveitis: iritis, anterior cyclitis, iridocyclitis. Inflammation occurs in the iris and vitreous body. This localization of inflammation is more common than all others.
  • Median uveitis: posterior cyclitis, pars planitis. The ciliary body, retina, choroid and vitreous body are affected.
  • Posterior uveitis: choroiditis, chorioretinitis, retinitis, neurouveitis. The choroid, retina and optic nerve are affected.
  • Generalized uveitis – panuveitis. This type of disease develops if all parts of the choroid are affected.
  • Uveitis is characterized different character inflammatory process, and therefore the following forms are distinguished:
    • serous,
    • purulent,
    • fibrinous-plastic,
    • hemorrhagic,
    • mixed uveitis.
  • Based on the causes of occurrence, uveitis is divided into endogenous (the infection is located and spreads inside the body) and exogenous (the infection is introduced from the outside as a result of injuries, burns, operations). There are also primary (when the disease is not preceded by another eye disease) and secondary uveitis (occurs as a complication after other eye diseases, for example, scleritis or corneal ulcers).
  • Based on morphological features, granulomatous (focal metastatic inflammation) and non-granulomatous uveitis (diffuse infectious-allergic inflammation) are distinguished.
  • Depending on the course of the disease, there are acute (lasting no more than three months), chronic (do not go away for a long time, lasting more than three months) and recurrent uveitis (after recovery, inflammation occurs again).
  • Causes of the disease

    Uveitis can occur due to infections, allergic reactions, metabolic disorders, hypothermia, decreased immunity, injuries, common diseases body.

    The most common (almost half of the cases) are infectious uveitis. The infection can be caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis, toxoplasma, streptococci, treponema, herpes virus, and fungi. Infection in the choroid can enter from any source of viral diseases, tuberculosis, syphilis, dental caries, tonsillitis, etc.

    Allergic uveitis occurs against the background of food and drug allergies.

    Uveitis can occur when there is the following diseases body: rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, glomerulonephritis, etc.

    Uveitis of a traumatic nature may occur due to eye burns, penetrating eye injuries, or exposure to foreign body.

    Uveitis may develop against the background hormonal dysfunction and metabolic disorders (menopause, diabetes, etc.), blood diseases, diseases of the organs of vision (scleritis, blepharitis, keratitis, conjunctivitis, retinal detachment, etc.).

    Symptoms of the disease

    The symptoms of each form of uveitis are different.

    Anterior uveitis is characterized by the following symptoms:

    • photophobia,
    • decreased visual acuity,
    • chronic lacrimation,
    • constriction of the pupil,
    • soreness,

    IN chronic course Anterior uveitis symptoms occur rarely or are mild: only slight redness and floating spots before the eyes.

    Peripheral uveitis occurs with the following symptoms:

    • often both eyes are affected symmetrically,
    • deterioration of visual acuity.

    Posterior uveitis is characterized by late onset of symptoms. They are characterized by:

    • blurred vision,
    • distortion of objects,
    • floating spots before the eyes,
    • decreased visual acuity.

    Diagnosis of the disease

    Timely diagnosis of uveitis is very great value, because if left untreated, dangerous diseases may develop eye pathologies which can lead to complete blindness.

    An ophthalmological examination for suspected uveitis may include:

    • normal external examination
    • visual acuity test,
    • determination of fields of view,
    • tonometry (a method of measuring intraocular pressure),
    • study of pupillary reaction,
    • biomicroscopy (examination using a special slit lamp),
    • gonioscopy (to study the angle of the anterior chamber of the eye),
    • ophthalmoscopy (examination of the fundus of the eye),
    • Ultrasound of the eye,
    • angiography of retinal vessels,
    • tomography of various eye structures (including the structure of the optic nerve head),
    • rheoophthalmography (measurement of blood flow velocity in the eye vessels).

    If the causes of uveitis are other diseases of the body, it is necessary to carry out laboratory and functional diagnostics and treatment of these diseases.

    Treatment of the disease

    The ophthalmologist prescribes treatment for uveitis depending on the type and cause of the disease. Therapy in in this case is aimed at preventing complications that can lead to vision loss.

    To treat uveitis use:

    • mydriatics (atropine, cyclopentol, etc.) eliminate spasm of the ciliary muscle, prevent the appearance of or break existing adhesions.
    • use of steroids locally (ointments, injections) and systemically. For this purpose betamethasone, dexamethasone, prednisolone are used. If steroids do not help, immunosuppressive drugs are prescribed.
    • eye drops to reduce high intraocular pressure,
    • antihistamines for allergies,
    • antiviral and antimicrobials in the presence of infections.

    With timely treatment, mild forms of uveitis disappear within 3-6 weeks.

    In severe cases with significant destruction of the vitreous body, it is required surgical treatment uveitis. For iridocyclochoroiditis (or panuveitis), vitreectomy may be performed ( surgical removal vitreous body), and if the eye can no longer be saved, evisceration of the eyeball is performed (all internal structures of the eyeball are removed).

    Treatment of the disease with traditional methods

    When treating uveitis, you can use some traditional medicine methods, after discussing the possibility of such treatment with your doctor:

    • A decoction of chamomile, rose hips, calendula or sage helps with uveitis. To prepare it, you need 3 tablespoons of herbs and a glass of boiling water. The mixture should infuse for about an hour. Then you should strain it and rinse your eyes with this decoction.
    • Aloe can also help. You can use aloe juice for eye drops, diluting it in cold boiling water in a ratio of 1 to 10. You can make an infusion from dry aloe leaves.
    • You can use crushed marshmallow root. To do this, you need to pour 3-4 tablespoons of marshmallow root into a glass of water at room temperature. You need to infuse it for 8 hours and then use it for lotions.

    Disease prevention

    To prevent diseases, you should maintain eye hygiene, avoid hypothermia, eye injuries, overwork, and the development of allergies, and promptly treat various diseases of the body. If any eye disease occurs, treatment should be started immediately so as not to provoke the emergence of more serious diseases.


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    – a person’s ability to effectively interact with the outside world. Various diseases of these paired organs can lead to decreased and even complete loss of vision. How sad it becomes to realize that a person has done nothing to save own vision. To avoid this, you need to treat any diseases related to the eyes.

    What is uveitis?

    The vascular, or uveal, membrane of the eye consists of so-called layers: the iris, ciliary (ciliary) body, vitreous body and choroid. What is uveitis? This is an inflammation of any of the three layers of the choroid (uveal tract) of the eye. Depending on the area of ​​inflammation, one or another disease develops. Sometimes all three layers can become inflamed, leading to complete loss of vision.

    The main factor that contributes to the development of uveitis is a certain slowness of blood flow in the ocular uveal tract. If there is an infection in the blood, it has time to attach to the membrane of the eye while the blood flow continues.

    Species

    There are various types of uveitis to consider:

    1. For the inflamed area:
      • Anterior – inflammation of the iris and ciliary body: iritis, iridocyclitis, anterior cyclitis.
      • Median (intermediate, peripheral) – inflammation of the ciliary, vitreous body, retina and choroid: pars planitis, posterior cyclitis.
      • Posterior – inflammation of the retina, optic nerve, choroid: choroiditis, retinitis, chorioretinitis, neurouveitis.
      • Generalized (panuveitis) – inflammation of all vascular membranes of the eye: iridocyclochoroiditis.
    2. According to the inflammatory process:
      • Serous (exudative);
      • Fibrinous-plastic;
      • Purulent;
      • Hemorrhagic;
    3. For reasons of appearance:
      • Endogenous – spread of infection within the body;
      • Exogenous – penetration of infection through injuries, burns, cracks in the eye;
      • Primary – not preceded by another disease;
      • Secondary – preceded by another eye disease, which caused complications, for example, with scleritis.
    4. By prevalence:
      • Focal metastatic (granulomatous);
      • Diffuse infectious-allergic (non-granulomatous).
    5. According to the form and duration of the flow:
      • Acute – no more than 3 months;
      • Chronic – no recovery, more than 3 months;
      • Recurrent – ​​occurs again after recovery.
    6. Other types:
    • Infectious:
    • Chlamydial;
    • Tuberculous;
    • Syphilitic;
    • Viral;
    • Streptococcal;
    • Bacterial, etc.
      • Systemic.
      • Invasive.
      • Idiopathic specific.
      • Idiopathic nonspecific.

    Reasons

    In most cases, uveitis is provoked by such a cause - an infection that enters the eye through the bloodstream, transferred from another infected organ, or through eye injuries from environment. There can be a variety of bacteria and viruses here. Basically, bacteria penetrate from the outside, and viruses and other microorganisms are carried through the bloodstream.

    But let’s not rule out other causes of uveitis:

    • Allergic reaction to food or medicine.
    • Hypothermia.
    • Metabolic disorders or hormonal imbalances: diabetes mellitus, menopause
    • Low immunity.
    • Injuries to the eye when a foreign body, piercing objects or burns enter it.
    • Infectious or chronic diseases: glomerulonephritis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatism, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
    • Blood diseases.
    • Reiter's syndrome.
    • Other eye diseases: scleritis, retinal detachment, conjunctivitis, keratitis, blepharitis, etc.

    Symptoms and signs of uveitis of the choroid

    Let's look at the signs and symptoms of uveitis of the choroid according to the affected areas:

    1. Front:
      • Photophobia.
      • Tearing.
      • Redness of the eye.
      • Eye pain.
      • Constriction of the pupil.
      • Decreased vision.
      • Increased intraocular pressure.
      • Floating spots before the eyes in a chronic form.
    2. Median:
    • "Floaters" before the eyes.
    • Decreased vision.
    • Affects both eyes at the same time.
    1. Rear:
    • Distortion of objects.
    • Nebula picture.
    • Decreased vision.
    • Floating spots before the eyes.
    • Mild pain in the eye.

    General symptoms of any type of uveitis are:

    1. Blurred vision.
    2. Decreased vision.
    3. Redness of the eye.
    4. Distortion of vision.
    5. Eye pain.
    6. Increased photosensitivity.

    Uveitis in children

    In children, uveitis often occurs only due to eye injuries. In second place it occurs due to allergic reaction, metabolic diseases or infectious spread. The symptoms here are the same as in adults. You should not self-medicate. It's better to consult a pediatrician.

    Uveitis in adults

    Adults have their own illnesses, which are not only temporary, but also permanent. Overwork and hypothermia – frequent occurrences in adulthood. Metabolic and rheumatic diseases also occur in men and women. Hormonal imbalances, lack good nutrition, bad habits– everything reduces the body’s resistance. Thus, it is very easy for an adult to develop uveitis.

    Diagnostics

    Diagnosis of uveitis is based on the patient’s complaints and an external examination of the eye by an ophthalmologist. Additionally, studies are carried out to clarify the type of uveitis:

    • Vision test;
    • Examination of pupillary reaction;
    • Tonometry;
    • Checking visual fields;
    • Gonioscopy;
    • Biomicroscopy with a slit lamp;
    • Ophthalmoscopy;
    • Ultrasound of the eye;
    • Tomography of eye structures;
    • Retinal angiography;
    • Rheoophthalmography – determination of blood flow speed.
    • Examination of other organs if uveitis is a secondary disease.

    Treatment

    Treatment of uveitis involves not only eliminating the disease, but also preventing the occurrence of complications. The patient is not admitted to the hospital, but he must adhere to the doctor’s recommendations.

    How to treat uveitis? Using the following medications:

    • Mydriatics.
    • Cytostatics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids.
    • Antibiotics.
    • Steroids: prednisolone, dexamethasone, betamethasone.
    • Eye drops to reduce intraocular pressure.
    • Immunosuppressants.
    • Antiviral, antimicrobial drugs.
    • Antihistamines for allergies.
    • Adrenaline, cocaine.

    How else to treat uveitis? Using physiotherapeutic procedures:

    • Phonophoresis.
    • Electrophoresis.

    If there is no effect from drug treatment, as well as running forms surgical treatment is performed:

    1. Vitrectomy – removal of the vitreous.
    2. Evisceration is the removal of all inflamed structures when it is impossible to save the eye.

    Can be used at home folk remedies, if they have been previously discussed with a doctor. Remember that we are talking about your vision, which can be lost if you ignore medical advice and help:

    • 3 tbsp. pour mixture of chamomile, calendula, rose hips, sage into a glass hot water. Leave for about an hour, strain and rinse the eye.
    • Stir aloe juice in cold boiling water in a ratio of 1:10. rinse the eye.
    • 4 tbsp. pour marshmallow root into a glass of room temperature water. Leave for 8 hours and use as a lotion.

    There is no need to follow any diet here. Use more vitamins through food and eliminating alcohol and cigarettes is all that is required of the patient.

    Lifespan

    How long do people live with uveitis? The disease does not affect life expectancy, but causes significant complications if left untreated:

    • Partial or total loss vision.
    • Cataract.
    • Retinal detachment.
    • Vasculitis.
    • Glaucoma.
    • Panuveitis.
    • Damage to the optic nerve.
    • Loss of an eye.

    In order not to lead to such complications and not to suffer from uveitis at all, you should adhere to prevention:

    • Don't overwork and don't get too cold.
    • Do not injure your eyes.
    • Maintain eye hygiene.
    • Avoid allergic reactions.
    • Treat everything infectious diseases both the eyes and other organs.
    • Contact an ophthalmologist if symptoms appear.