Condition

Uveitis

Also known as Iritis, Anterior Uveitis, Intermediate Uveitis, Posterior Uveitis, Panuveitis, Eye Inflammation

Updated May 16, 2026For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for medical advice. See our terms.

Bottom Line

Uveitis is inflammation inside the eye. It can cause redness, pain, light sensitivity, floaters, and blurry vision, and it needs prompt eye care.

Uveitis means inflammation inside the eye. It can involve the iris, the middle layer of the eye, the vitreous gel, the retina, or nearby tissues 1.

Symptoms vary by location. Anterior uveitis often causes a painful red eye with light sensitivity. Posterior uveitis may cause floaters or blurry vision.

Treatment depends on the cause. Doctors treat inflammation, look for infection when needed, and watch for cataract, glaucoma, macular swelling, and vision loss 2.

How It Is Diagnosed

Uveitis diagnosis starts with a careful eye exam.

  • Slit-lamp exam. The doctor looks for inflammatory cells in the front of the eye.
  • Dilated exam. This checks the vitreous, retina, and optic nerve.
  • Retina scan. Imaging can find macular swelling.
  • Lab testing. Blood tests or imaging are used when the history points to infection or whole-body disease.

Not everyone needs the same lab tests. The pattern of uveitis guides the workup 1.

Treatment

Treatment has two jobs: calm inflammation and treat the cause.

  • Steroid drops. These are common for anterior uveitis.
  • Dilating drops. These can reduce pain and prevent the iris from sticking.
  • Antiviral, antibiotic, or parasite medicine. These are used when infection is the cause.
  • Steroid pills, injections, or implants. These may be used for deeper inflammation.
  • Steroid-sparing medicine. Long-term immune medicines may be needed for repeated or severe disease.

Local treatments and immune treatments are chosen based on the type and cause of uveitis 2.

Linked Conditions

Uveitis can happen by itself. It can also be linked to other health problems.

  • Arthritis and back inflammation. These can be linked with repeat anterior uveitis.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease. Eye inflammation can occur with bowel flares.
  • Shingles or herpes infections. These can inflame the front or back of the eye.
  • Toxoplasmosis. This infection can cause retinal inflammation.
  • Sarcoidosis or tuberculosis. These can cause deeper eye inflammation.

Tell your eye doctor about joint pain, back pain, rashes, mouth ulcers, bowel symptoms, travel, and infections.

Common Questions About Uveitis

It can be. Prompt treatment helps prevent cataract, glaucoma, macular swelling, and vision loss.

Next Steps

  1. 1Seek urgent care for severe pain, sudden vision loss, contact lens pain with redness, or symptoms after surgery.
  2. 2Book an eye exam quickly for new light sensitivity, floaters, or one-sided redness.
  3. 3Tell your doctor about joint pain, bowel disease, rashes, infections, and past uveitis.
  4. 4Use steroid drops only as prescribed and taper them exactly as directed.
  5. 5Keep follow-up visits until inflammation is quiet.

Find specialists for Uveitis

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