Abstract
Uveitis is an intraocular inflammation of the iris, ciliary body and choroidea. The involvement of adjacent structures (cornea, sclera, retina, optic disc) may result in visual acuity impairment.
Uveitis may be caused by infection, autoimmune mechanisms, ocular injury or surgery. However, in 30-40% of cases, the cause of intraocular inflammation remains unknown.
The treatment varies according to acute or chronic course and differs also in isolated intraocular inflammation and in association with systemic disease or in case of masquerading syndrome. The main aims of therapy are to minimize the inflammatory activity, frequency of complications, to preserve the best visual acuity and to relieve patient's discomfort.
In case of infectious uveitis, treatment is indicated according to the causative agent, and thus the appropriate virostatics, antibiotics, anti-fungal or antiprotozoal drugs are used. Non-infectious uveitis therapy involves non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs and biologic agents.
Local mydriatics and cycloplegics are also used in cases of anterior uveitis to prevent posterior synechiae and relax the ciliary spasm. In approximately a quarter of cases, ocular autoimmune inflammation is associated with systemic disease (i.e., ankylosing spondylitis, sarcoidosis, multiple sclerosis, systemic vasculitis, etc.), treatment is then conducted in cooperation with a specialist in the related field.