Uveitis is swelling and irritation in the middle layer of the eye (the uvea). It is caused by a malfunction in the immune system, not the eye.

Uveitis Symptoms

Uveitis can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms may develop rapidly and can include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Dark, floating spots in the vision
  • Eye pain
  • Redness of the eye
  • Sensitivity to light

Uveitis Treatment

At many medical centers, patients with uveitis must see both a rheumatologist and ophthalmologist for specialty eye care treatment.

But at Wake Forest Baptist Health Eye Center, patients get complete care from a single source. Our uveitis specialists handle everything from diagnosis to therapy to follow-up care.

Part of the International Uveitis Study Group, the Eye Center is on the forefront of uveitis treatment. We offer some of the newest specialty eye care therapies, including drug injections, drug implants and oral medications not available elsewhere.

Although uveitis is typically treated with steroids, our ophthalmologists try to avoid prescribing steroids whenever possible. Rather, we recommend steroid-sparing drugs to reduce eye inflammation. These drugs help patients avoid some undesirable effects of steroid use, such as weight gain, heart palpitations and bone loss.