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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffIf uveitis is caused by an underlying condition, treatment will focus on that specific condition. The goal of treatment is to reduce the inflammation in your eye.
Treatment of uveitis may include:
- Anti-inflammatory medication. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication, such as a corticosteroid, to treat your uveitis. This medication may be given as eyedrops. Your doctor could also administer a corticosteroid by pill or by injection into the eye. For people with difficult-to-treat posterior uveitis, a device that's implanted in your eye may be an option. This device slowly releases corticosteroid medication into your eye for about 2 1/2 years.
- Antibiotic or antiviral medication. If uveitis is caused by an infection, antibiotics, antiviral medications or other medicines may be given with or without corticosteroids to bring the infection under control.
- Immunosuppressive or cytotoxic medication. Immunosuppressive or cytotoxic agents may become necessary if your uveitis responds poorly to corticosteroids or becomes severe enough to threaten your vision.
- Surgery. Vitrectomy — surgery to remove some of the jelly-like material in your eye (vitreous) — may be necessary both for diagnosis and management of your uveitis. A small sample of the vitreous can help identify a specific cause of eye inflammation, such as a virus or bacterium. The procedure may also be used to remove developing scar tissue in the vitreous.
The part of your eye affected by uveitis — either the front (anterior) or back (posterior) of the uvea — may determine how quickly your eye heals. Posterior uveitis tends to heal more slowly than anterior uveitis, and a severe inflammation will take longer to clear up than a mild inflammation.
Uveitis can recur. Make an appointment with your doctor if any of your symptoms reappear after successful treatment.
- Cunnigham ET. Uveitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec09/ch105/ch105a.html. Accessed Dec. 29, 2009.
- Rosenbaum JT. Uveitis: Etiology; clinical manifestations; and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 29, 2009.
- Rosenbaum JT. Uveitis: Treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 29, 2009.
- Riordan-Eva P. Disorders of the eyes and lids. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010. 49th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2002. Accessed Dec. 28, 2009.
- Becker M, et al. Vitrectomy in the treatment of uveitis. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2005;140:1096.
- Cunningham ET. Uveal tract and sclera. In: Riordan-Eva P, et al. Vaughan and Asbury's General Ophthalmology. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3091280. Accessed Jan. 3, 2010.
- Van Rooij J, et al. Oral vitamins C and E as additional treatment in patients with acute anterior uveitis: A randomised double masked study in 145 patients. British Journal of Ophthalmology. 1999;83:1277.
- Roberston DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 11, 2010.
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