Treatment of Uveitis

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The type and length of treatment will depend on the type of uveitis, its severity and cause. Some cases will clear up with the use of eyedrops; others may need steroid injections into the eye.

Methods of treatment include:

Complete eye examination. This is carried out with special equipment at an eye hospital.
Dark glasses. These should be worn if you become very sensitive to light.
Warm towel. This is placed over the eye to soothe it.
Eyedrops. If the condition is diagnosed early and treated with eye drops, no loss of vision should occur. The eye drops dilate (widen) the pupil and prevent the iris muscles from spasm, so that the inflamed iris can rest. This helps the eye to heal and decreases the eye pain. Initially, treatment is very frequent (as often as every hour) until the inflammation decreases. If the pupil is not dilated, the inflamed iris will stick to the lens, which can lead to scarring. The eye drops may cause blurred vision, difficulty focusing, and an increased sensitivity to light, but they are a vital part of treatment.
Steroid eyedrops. These help decrease the inflammation of the iris. They are not used if a virus or bacteria caused the condition. Steroid eyedrops will be used frequently at first, and then tapered off. This is to prevent the iritis recurring.
Steroid pills or steroid injections to the eye. These may be recommended in severe cases where eye drops have no effect. Prolonged steroid treatment needs to be careful monitored for side effects.
Other tests. If the iritis has not been caused by injury to the eye, other tests, such as chest x-ray or blood test, may be done to see if there is an underlying infection.

The uveitis should improve within two to three weeks. Traumatic uveitis (injury to the eye) usually goes away within a week. The sooner treatment is started, the quicker the recovery. The length of treatment will depend on the severity of the condition and how the eye responds to treatment.

Uveitis often recurs, especially if it is due to an underlying disease. In the case of recurrent iritis, it is essential that early treatment be sought. You may be advised to keep steroid eyedrops to hand at all times.