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Uveitis
Anterior is inflammation within the eyeball. The eyeball is
divided into a front part (the anterior part) and a back
part (the posterior part). Uveitis refers to an inflammation
inside the eye that can cause eye pain and problems seeing
things. This condition usually responds to treatment.
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- The pupil (dark part of the eye) may become irregular (instead of round) in shape
- Symptoms can begin suddenly or can progress slowly over time.
- Symptoms include pain in one eye, sensitivity to light, redness of the eye, and loss of vision.
- If the disease comes on slowly, people may have Blurred Vision, but
only a small amount of inflammation of the eye.
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- The disease is due to an inflammation within the eye.
The most common reason for the inflammation is that the
person's own immune system becomes overactive and attacks
certain structures within the eye.
- Some of the diseases associated with an overactive immune system include Ankylosing Spondylitis, Reiter's Syndrome, sacroiliitis, Psoriasis, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, or Behcet's Syndrome
- At times, it can be due to an infection (i.e., bacteria, virus, fungi, or parasites), such as the Herpes virus. This is seen
more often in people who do not have a normal immune system,
such as those with
HIV.
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- Using a special piece of equipment (slit lamp or indirect ophthalmoscopy), the doctor can look into the eye and see the inflammation and other changes that allow them to make the diagnosis.
- At times, blood may be tested for
ESR, ANA, HLA-B27, VDRL, Lyme serology, CBC and chemistry
panels may be done depending on what the cause may be.
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- The patient needs to be seen by an eye specialist and treatment needs to be started as soon as possible.
- Uveitis Anterior can usually be treated with steroid eye drops (not to be used if an infection is suspected to be the cause).
- Sometimes, if the drops are not enough, steroid injections around the eye may be needed or the person may need to take steroid pills.
- Drops to dilate the eyes may be used because this will help with the pain and discomfort.
- Non -- steroidal anti inflammatory (NSAIDs) such as Aspirin or Motrin may help in some cases
- Response to treatment is usually pretty good.
- If the disease is due to an
infection, then antibiotics or antiviral medicines will be
needed.
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