Anterior Uveitis: Understanding the Condition
Anterior Uveitis causes inflammation in the front part of the eyes, including the iris and ciliary body.
It is the more common of the two types of Uveitis, accounting for 50-60% of the cases.
The condition causes inflammation, redness, and irritation in the eye.
Timely diagnosis and early treatment can save patients from complete vision.
Read along to learn more about the disorder’s causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Symptoms
Anterior Uveitis symptoms can range from chronic, acute to recurrent form.
The onset of the disorder may not show any symptoms till it reaches a stage where the vision becomes blurry.
The symptoms of Anterior Uveitis include,
- Eye pain
- Photophobia
- Tearing
- Floaters
Anterior Uveitis vs Conjunctivitis
Anterior Uveitis is an eye disorder caused due to infectious and infectious causes.
But both have differences in terms of their symptoms and occurrence.
Anterior Uveitis | Conjunctivitis |
---|---|
It affects the middle layer of the eye tissue | It involves the outer layer of the eye tissue |
The symptoms mainly include inflammation in the eye | The symptoms include redness in the eye |
Uveitis can result from autoimmune disorders | Conjunctivitis is a result of bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. |
It causes photosensitivity. | It does not cause any such symptoms |
Causes of Anterior Uveitis
The majority of Anterior Uveitis causes are idiopathic.
This number ranges from 48%-70%, where these causes can be infectious or non-infectious.
It can result from trauma to the eye by hitting or a foreign body entry into the eyes.
Infectious Causes
Anterior Uveitis can be caused due to bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.
Bacterial causes that result in eye inflammation include,
- Cat-scratch disease
- Lyme disease
- Syphilis
- Tuberculosis
Viral infections that cause Uveitis also raise eye pressure.
In the case of Fungal infections, patients with Histoplasmosis syndrome can also experience inflammation in the front of the eye.
Non-infectious Causes
Non-infectious causes of Anterior Uveitis are primarily due to immune-mediated disorders, which include,
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Spondylitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Behcet’s disease
Anterior Uveitis caused due to Sarcoidosis and Behcet’s Syndrome is also known as Endogenous Uveitis.
Diagnosis
Anterior Uveitis symptoms can be similar to other eye conditions.
Hence, an ophthalmologist will examine the detailed health history of the patients.
The eye examination involves the following,
Vision Assessment
The doctor will assess your vision with response to pupils to light.
Tonometry
This exam measures intraocular pressure. It can also test the occurrence of Glaucoma in the eye.
Slit-lamp examination
Slit-lamp is a microscope that magnifies and illuminates the anterior part of your eye with intense light.
It helps the ophthalmologist identify the microscopic inflammatory cells in the front of the eyes.
Ophthalmoscopy
This exam is also known as Funduscopy, which involves dilating pupils with eye drops.
It then uses a shining bright light into the eye to examine the back of the eye.
In some cases, the ophthalmologist can also recommend the following tests,
- Color photography of the retina
- Optical coherence tomography imaging for mapping the retina identifying swelling in these layers
- Blood tests
- Aqueous Fluid analysis
Treatment of Anterior Uveitis
Anterior Uveitis treatment depends on its cause.
Ultimately, treatment aims to reduce the inflammation and pain in the eye.
The treatment for Anterior Uveitis includes,
Medicines
The primary treatment options doctors prescribe include eye drops, tablets, or injections that can control inflammation by treating the cause
- Anti-inflammatory medicines: Corticosteroids are usually prescribed by doctors as an anti-inflammatory medicine.
The eye drops may not treat inflammation in the front of the eye. In such cases, doctors can prescribe Corticosteroid injections.
- Medicine to control spasms: Anterior Uveitis affects the iris and ciliary body tissue and causes spasms in this area.
These eye drops widen the pupil to control spasms and help relieve eye pain.
- Antibacterial or antiviral medicine: Infectious Anterior Uveitis may require antibiotic and antiviral medicines.
These eye drops help control the infection and eventually treat inflammation
- Drugs that affect the immune system: The immunosuppressive drug may help against Anterior Uveitis caused due to autoimmune disorders.
It is prescribed in cases where both eyes are affected.
Medicines | Approx. Cost |
Actavis Bimatoprost 300 mcg | $9.83 |
Azithral Eye Drops 0.1% (3ml) | $15.50 |
Toba DM 3mg and 1mg (10ml) | $2.42 |
Locula Eye Drop 20% (10ml) | $15.40 |
Lotepred Eye drop of 5 ml | $5.64 |
Surgical
In severe cases, the ophthalmologist might prescribe surgical or other treatment options,
- Vitrectomy: The surgery involves removing some of the vitreous in your eye. The surgeon then replaces it with another solution.
This gel-like substance fills the middle portion of your eye.
- Implant: The therapeutic device implanted in your eye can help decrease the intraocular pressure and risk of Glaucoma.
Prevention
In most cases, Anterior Uveitis is an idiopathic condition; therefore, it cannot be prevented.
However, taking care of those conditions can lead to better eye health in people with autoimmune disorders.
Timely diagnosis and proper treatment can prevent permanent loss of vision.
Conclusion
Anterior Uveitis is a rare eye disorder causing inflammation in the eye’s middle layer.
It can lead to complete loss of vision if not diagnosed on time.
If you are experiencing symptoms of Uveitis, consulting your doctor can ensure prevent further complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
How serious is Anterior Uveitis?
Anterior Uveitis is a rare but severe condition. It causes blurred vision and can lead to complete vision loss in extreme cases.
What is the most common cause of Uveitis?
The most common cause of Uveitis is an injury to the eye. In most cases, the causes are not identifiable. This injury can also result from autoimmune disorders, bacterial or viral infections.
How is Anterior Uveitis diagnosed?
Anterior Uveitis is diagnosed with vision assessment, ophthalmoscopy, and slit-lamp exam. The doctor will examine the front and back parts of the eye to identify any inflammation.
How long does anterior uveitis last?
Anterior Uveitis is a recurring condition. Attacks of Anterior Uveitis can recur after six to eight weeks. The disorder’s symptoms can last for a few days until the inflammation worsens.
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