About Uveitis
Uveitis refers to inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. This layer plays a vital role in supplying blood to the eye. Uveitis can affect people of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults and may present with a range of symptoms depending on the underlying cause.
Although uveitis is uncommon, it accounts for an estimated 10–15% of blindness cases, making early diagnosis and careful management essential. With timely and appropriate treatment, many individuals with uveitis can maintain good vision. Due to its complexity, uveitis is best managed by an ophthalmologist with expertise in ocular inflammatory diseases.
At Moorfields Eye Hospitals, our Uveitis specialists in Dubai or Abu Dhabi provide expert care for individuals with uveitis. Through a detailed assessment of your eye health, medical history, and systemic risk factors, our specialists tailor treatment plans to your condition to manage inflammation effectively and protect your long-term vision.
Different types of Uveitis
Uveitis can affect different parts of the eye, and the type is classified based on which area is inflamed:
- Anterior Uveitis (front of the eye): This is the most common type, involving inflammation of the iris (iritis) or both the iris and ciliary body (iridocyclitis). It accounts for approximately three-quarters of all uveitis cases.
- Intermediate Uveitis: This type affects the area behind the ciliary body and includes the vitreous (the gel-like substance in the middle of the eye). It’s more common in children, teenagers, and young adults. Symptoms often include floaters and blurred vision.
- Posterior Uveitis (back of the eye): This more severe form involves inflammation of the choroid and retina and poses a higher risk to vision. Immediate medical attention is crucial, as it can be sight-threatening.
Causes of Uveitis
Uveitis may develop for several reasons, including:
- Infections such as tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, herpes viruses, or cytomegalovirus.
- Autoimmune conditions such as sarcoidosis, arthritis, or inflammatory bowel disease.
In around half of all cases, no clear cause is identified yet early intervention remains crucial to protect vision.
Symptoms of Uveitis
Symptoms can vary depending on the type and severity of inflammation, but may include:
- Red or painful eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred or cloudy vision
- Glare or halos
- Floaters (dark spots or shapes moving in the vision)
- Occasionally, flashes of light or difficulty seeing at night
Diagnosing Uveitis
Diagnosing uveitis involves a series of tests to determine the underlying cause and assess eye health:
- Blood tests to detect infections or autoimmune markers
- Imaging tests such as chest X-rays to identify related systemic conditions
- Investigations such as OCT retina scan and fluorescein angiogram may be used to detect any swelling or leakage in the retina.
In some cases, patients may be referred to other specialists, such as rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, or neurologists, to find a systemic cause for the inflammation.
Uveitis treatment
The treatment approach depends on the type and severity of uveitis:
- Anterior Uveitis is commonly treated with medicated eye drops to reduce inflammation. In certain cases, injections may be used for quicker relief.
- Posterior Uveitis typically requires oral steroids, often at higher doses, to control inflammation. If an infection is involved, antibiotics or antivirals may also be prescribed.
- For chronic management, doctors may prescribe steroid-sparing immune suppressant medications, like mycophenolate or methotrexate, available as tablets or biological injections. Steroid injections into the eye may also be considered.
With appropriate care and close monitoring, most individuals with uveitis can achieve good control of inflammation and preserve their vision and quality of life.
Looking for more information?
Explore our frequently asked questions for additional information about your condition, care and treatment.
Uveitis Service Specialists
Dr. Fahd Quhill
Consultant Ophthalmologist in Medical Retina and Ocular inflammatory disease (Uveitis)Clinical Professor Of Ophthalmology (Adjunct)
- Uveitis and ocular inflammatory diseases
- Infectious eye diseases
- Autoimmune diseases affecting the eye
- Complex inflammatory eye disease requiring immunosuppressive treatment
- Diabetic retinal disease
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Inherited retinal diseases
- Retinal vascular diseases
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), University of Birmingham, UK
- Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCSEd)
- Member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (MRCOphth)
- Bachelor of Medical Science (BMedSc), University of Birmingham, UK
- Ophthalmology specialist training in Oxford, Birmingham and London, UK
- Three Medical Retina Fellowships completed in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Moorfields Eye Hospital London, UK
- Member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology (Adjunct)
- Principal Investigator in numerous clinical trials investigating macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion and diabetic macular oedema
- Author of 27 research papers on retinal and ocular inflammatory diseases
- Research published in leading peer-reviewed journals, including Ophthalmology, British Journal of Ophthalmology and Eye
Dr. Avinash Gurbaxani
Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist in Uveitis and Medical Retinal Diseases and Cataract Surgery- Uveitis and inflammatory eye diseases
- Complex inflammatory eye diseases requiring immunosuppressive treatment
- Diabetic retinal disease
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Retinal vascular diseases
- Medical retinal diseases
- Cataract surgery including premium intraocular lenses
- Complex cataract surgery associated with inflammatory and retinal eye diseases
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, India
- Diploma in Ophthalmic Medicine and Surgery, India
- Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in Ophthalmology
- Ophthalmology training in Oxford and London, UK
- Medical Retina and Uveitis Fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK
- Medical Retina and Uveitis Fellowship at Sydney Eye Hospital, Australia
- Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth)
- Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCS Ed)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- Experienced in initiating ophthalmology research projects
- Experience in conducting clinical trials
- Regularly publishes research papers.
Dr. Usman Mahmood
Consultant, Ophthalmologist Specialised in Retina and Cataract Surgery
FAQ
Uveitis requires prompt assessment, as untreated inflammation can affect vision. You should arrange to be seen if you develop eye pain, significant redness, sensitivity to light, new floaters or flashes, or blurred or reduced vision. If you experience sudden or severe loss of vision, seek emergency medical attention. Prompt assessment allows the cause of your symptoms to be identified and treatment to begin where needed.
Uveitis can affect vision, but with timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, many people maintain good vision. Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and regular monitoring can help control inflammation and reduce the risk of complications. The risk to vision can be greater with more severe, recurrent or long-standing inflammation, particularly when the back of the eye is involved. This is why prompt specialist assessment and continued follow-up are important.
Whether uveitis resolves completely or needs ongoing management depends on its type and underlying cause. Some episodes settle fully with appropriate treatment, while other forms can recur or become chronic. When uveitis is caused by an infection, treatment is directed at the infection as well as the inflammation. Uveitis associated with an autoimmune or inflammatory condition may require longer-term treatment to keep the inflammation under control. Regular monitoring with a Uveitis specialist helps to assess your response to treatment and protect your vision over time.
How long uveitis takes to settle varies depending on the type, cause and severity of the inflammation. Acute uveitis may settle over several weeks with appropriate treatment, while recurrent or chronic uveitis may require treatment and monitoring over a longer period. It is important not to stop or reduce your prescribed treatment without speaking to your specialist, even if your eye feels more comfortable, as the inflammation may not yet be fully controlled.
Steroids and immunosuppressant medicines can cause side effects, which is why treatment is carefully monitored. Steroid eye drops can increase eye pressure and, particularly with longer-term use, may contribute to cataract or glaucoma. Steroid tablets and immunosuppressant medicines can have effects elsewhere in the body, and some treatments require regular blood tests. Your specialist will explain the potential benefits and risks of your medication and monitor your treatment closely, adjusting it when needed.
Uveitis can lead to complications including macular oedema (swelling in the central retina), cataract, glaucoma and retinal damage. In some cases, these complications can result in lasting changes to vision. Appropriate treatment and regular monitoring help your ophthalmologist control the inflammation and identify complications as early as possible.
Uveitis itself is not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another. However, some infections that can cause uveitis may themselves be transmissible. If an infection is identified as the underlying cause, the Uveitis specialist will advise you whether any specific precautions or additional treatment are needed.
Children can develop uveitis without redness, pain or other noticeable symptoms, and the eye may appear completely normal. This is particularly important in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), who may require regular eye screening even when they have no eye symptoms. Screening allows inflammation to be identified and treated before it causes complications
Moorfields Eye Hospitals UAE works with a wide range of insurance providers, and cover for uveitis consultations, investigations, and treatment will depend on your individual policy as well as any prior approval your insurer requires. You can check directly with your insurer, or to contact us ahead of your appointment so that we can help you understand what to expect. The full list of accepted insurance providers is available at moorfields.ae/insurance-provider/
