The uveitis service provides assessment and treatment for uveitis which is the inflammation of the middle layer of the eye.
If you have any of the following conditions or symptoms:
- Acute inflammation within the eye
- Chronic Inflammation within the eye
Further assessment usually takes place in the outpatient clinic. However, occasionally you might need assessment or treatment as an inpatient.
The outpatient assessments often involve types of photography and blood tests.
What tests might I need?
We will spend time trying to determine your particular type of uveitis because this will guide its correct treatment, give an idea about how it may develop in the future, and establish any connection with disease elsewhere in the body.
In order to do this, we need to:
- talk to you about your eye problem and about your general health,
- conduct an eye examination under magnification using the “Slit-lamp”.
In some patients, we may need to take pictures of your eyes.
These may include dye-tests in which a dye is injected into the blood and photographs are taken of the back of the eyes.
We may also need to take blood tests, X-rays or scans to help determine your type of uveitis.
Please note
Your pupils will usually need to be dilated with eye drops for most examinations, photographs, and dye tests. This will blur your vision for a few hours, and you are therefore advised not to drive after your visit until your vision has recovered.
How can I be referred into the service?
You can be referred into the service by your GP or by a doctor at another hospital.
Treatments
The treatment depends on its severity and type.
Some types of uveitis are caused by infections and you will be treated with antibiotics. However, most uveitis is treated with steroids to reduce the inflammation in your eye.
If we find that another condition is causing the uveitis, we will discuss this with you. We will inform your GP about this. We may refer you to see another specialist.
The aim of treatment is to reduce the inflammation and therefore minimise its harmful effects on vision, and to deal with any complications if needed. Separate information leaflets are available on Cataract, Glaucoma, and Macular Oedema in Uveitis.
Is there anything I can do to help myself?
- Return to the hospital promptly if you feel there is a flare up of your uveitis.
- Sunglasses during a flare up of acute uveitis may help reduce light sensitivity.
Contact us
Tel: 0191 282 5451
