Macular oedema caused by uveitis (eye inflammation)
Uveitis is an umbrella terms for diseases affecting the middle part of the eye, called the uvea. They are most commonly classified according to the anatomical location of the inflammation: uveitis aterior (affecting the iris and ciliary muscle), uveitis itermidia (affecting the anterior chamber, vitreous humour) and uveitis posterior (affecting the retina and choroid). Macular oedemas are the most common cause for a deterioration of visual acuity, i.e. in particular uveitis posterior; these occur when fluid collects in the spot (macula) and can cause a severe deterioration of visual acuity in many patients. Often, in particular inflammatory macular oedemas are very difficult to treat.
An optic nerve that is altered or swollen due to an inflammation will result in a deterioration of visual acuity and hazy vision.
As is the case with the other forms of uveitis, uveitis posterior may also cause cataracts, glaucoma or else a drop in intraocular pressure (hypertension).
Diagnosis of uveitis
The doctor will start by establishing an anamnesis. Among other things, important points are your medical history, your complaints or eye diseases that run in your family. You will also be asked about diseases which are commonly associated with uveitis such as rheumatic diseases, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, multiple sclerosis or sarcoidosis. It is important to identify these diseases to diagnose an “uveitis”. It may also be required to consult specialists from other medical fields in the process.
A detailed examination will be performed under the slit lamp. For this, the eye will be illuminated and the fundus will be enlarged. This enables a visual assessment of the symptoms.
Treatment of macular oedema caused by uveitis
After diagnosing a macular oedema, it can be treated with therapeutic drugs, so-called VEGF blockers which are administered by means of an intravitreal injection.