Uveitis, an inflammation of the eye's uvea, is one of the most common eye diseases that can cause blindness, and early detection and treatment is crucial.

However, early symptoms of uveitis, such as redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, and eye pain, are often overlooked. By the way, the redness of the eyes in conjunctivitis differs from that of the eyes in uveitis, which can cause blindness.

“A lot of eye redness usually accompanies Uveitis, and redness is widespread in conjunctivitis as well,” said Professor Park Kyu-hyung of the Department of Ophthalmology at Seoul National University Hospital on the SNUH TV. “The redness that occurs in conjunctivitis is evenly distributed over the whites of the eyes, but the difference is that the redness that occurs mainly in uveitis is more severe around the black pupil.”

More severe redness around the black pupil isn't the only sign of uveitis. As uveitis progresses, various other symptoms can also occur, including decreased vision, sensitivity to light, glare, blurred vision, and epistaxis.

“Uveitis symptoms often appear suddenly and are characterized by a gradual worsening and improvement,” Professor Park said. “If you experience these symptoms, you must visit an eye doctor for a thorough examination.”

Uveitis is a severe condition that can lead to blindness if not treated properly. If the inflammation persists, it can damage the retina or optic nerve, leading to permanent blindness.

“Uveitis must be detected and treated early,” Park said. “If it is detected early and treatment is started, vision can be preserved in most cases, so it is vital to see an eye doctor immediately at the slightest sign of abnormality so that it can be accurately diagnosed and treated according to its cause.”

There are two main causes of uveitis -- infectious and non-infectious.

“Non-infectious uveitis can be caused by autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Behcet's disease, as well as trauma, tumors, and genetic factors,” Professor Park said. “While infectious uveitis is caused by infectious bacteria, including tuberculosis and syphilis, common in Korea.”

Uveitis can occur equally across all age groups, but the causes can be different for each age group.

“In young children, it's a little more likely to be caused by an infection, and in older adults, it's more likely to be associated with an autoimmune or systemic disease,” Park said.

Different causes of uveitis require different treatments, so it's crucial to differentiate between them. First, uveitis should be diagnosed by slit-lamp microscopy, fundus examination, fluorescein angiography, or fluorescein angiography to check for eye inflammation and rule out systemic or infectious diseases.

“Treatment for non-infectious uveitis may include steroidal or anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation and immunosuppressive drugs to modulate the immune system as needed,” Park said. “If an infection is the cause, antibiotics, antituberculosis drugs, and antiviral drugs are used, depending on the causative agent.”

“It is essential to visit an ophthalmologist immediately if uveitis symptoms occur,” Park advised. “People with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Behcet's disease, should be especially cautious of uveitis.”