Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffSometimes, the specific cause of uveitis isn't clear. However, in some people, uveitis is associated with:
- Autoimmune disorders, such as Behcet's disease, sarcoidosis or ankylosing spondylitis
- Inflammatory disorders, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
- Infections such as cat-scratch disease, herpes, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis or West Nile virus
- Eye injury
- Certain cancers, such as lymphoma, that can directly or indirectly affect the eye
References
- Riordan-Eva P, et al. Vaughan & Asbury's General Ophthalmology. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=720. Accessed March 4, 2012.
- Rosenbaum JT. Uveitis: Etiology; clinical manifestations; and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 7, 2012.
- Rosenbaum JT. Uveitis: Treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/ index. Accessed March 7, 2012.
- Cunningham ET. Uveitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec09/ch105/ch105a.html. Accessed March 21, 2012.
- De Smet MD, et al. Understanding uveitis: The impact of research on visual outcomes. Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 2011;30:452.
- Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 30, 2012.


Find Mayo Clinic on