What is uveitis?

Uveitis is a term used to describe inflammation in the middle part of the eye, known as the uvea. The word ‘uveitis’ comes from two parts: ‘uvea’, which is the middle layer of the eye, and ‘itis’, which means inflammation. Think of the eye as having three layers, like the layers of an onion, and the uvea is the middle layer. Uveitis happens when this layer gets inflamed.

Types of uveitis

Depending on where the inflammation is, uveitis can be classified as:

• Anterior uveitis: inflammation at the front of the eye. This is the most common type of uveitis.
• Intermediate uveitis: inflammation in the middle part of the eye.
• Posterior uveitis: inflammation at the back of the eye.
• Panuveitis: inflammation affecting the entire uvea.

Depending on the duration of inflammation, uveitis can be:

• Acute: symptoms occur suddenly and typically last for a short period of a few weeks
• Chronic: inflammation persists for more than three months and can return after treatment has stopped. The symptoms may develop gradually or flare up over time

Both types of uveitis require treatment. However, chronic uveitis may require more long-term management due to its recurring nature.