Uveitis: An Overview

Uveitis refers to inflammation of the uvea (the iris, ciliary body and choroid) but in clinical practice it encompasses intraocular inflammation affecting adjacent structures such as the retina, vitreous and optic nerve. Although it represents a relatively small proportion of ophthalmic disease overall, it is responsible for a disproportionate amount of visual morbidity, accounting for around 10% of blindness worldwide. Uveitis can be acute or chronic, infectious or immune-mediated, and may occur in isolation or in association with a systemic condition. Because the eye is exquisitely sensitive to inflammation, even small degrees of intraocular disturbance can result in substantial symptoms or complications; for this reason, timely recognition and management are of great importance.