Types of eye inflammation and how to overcome them

Inflammation of the eye or known medically as uveitis, is a condition characterized by swelling in the middle layer of eye wall tissue (uvea). Eye inflammation can occur only in one eye, or both eyes. This condition is generally experienced by someone at the age of 20-50 years. In fact, uveitis is known as inflammation of the eye, because inflammation that occurs not only attacks the uvea, but also affects other parts of the eye such as the lens, retina, eye nerves, and vitreous. This inflammation can cause swelling and damage to eye tissue. For this reason, inflammation of the eyes needs to be addressed properly. If not treated immediately, eye inflammation can cause vision problems, even blindness.

Types of Eye Inflammation

Eye inflammation can be divided into several types, depending on where the location of inflammation occurs, including:

• Anterior uveitis

Anterior uveitis is often referred to as "iritis" because it affects the iris. The iris is the colored part of the eye, near the front. Iritis is the most common and mild type of uveitis compared to other types of eye inflammation. In this condition, vision can be disturbed or not. Other symptoms that appear include red eye, aches and pains, and are sensitive to light.

• Intermediate Uveitis

This condition involves the middle uvea and is also called iridocyclitis. The word "intermediate" actually refers to the location of inflammation and not the severity of the inflammation. This type of uveitis can occur to anyone, but is more common in young adults and is often associated with autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and sarcoidosis. Symptoms that are felt are generally blurred or unclear vision, accompanied by the emergence of floaters.

• Posterior uveitis

Uveitis can also be referred to as choroiditis, because it affects the choroid which contains the eye's vascular tissue. This type of uveitis usually occurs in people with viral, parasitic, or fungal infections. Choroiditis can also occur in people with autoimmune diseases. Symptoms that are felt can be blurred vision. Posterior uveitis tends to be more severe than anterior uveitis, because it can injure retinal tissue, so the risk of visual impairment and blindness is greater.

• Panuveitis

Panuveitis is the most serious form of inflammation of the eye, because it affects the entire uvea and important parts of the eye (including iris, ciliary body, and choroid). Panuveitis can be caused by infection, chronic inflammatory disease, or other unknown causes. Generally cause a combination of symptoms of all types of eye inflammation.

Inflammation of the eye or uveitis can occur in a short time (acute), or walk and last for a long time (chronic), even recurring. This inflammation can be caused by infections or other things, such as eye injury, eye tumors, autoimmune diseases, or toxins that enter the eye. For this reason, treating eye inflammation must be adjusted to the underlying cause.

How to Overcome Eye Inflammation

Patients who experience symptoms of eye inflammation should immediately consult an ophthalmologist, because if late treated, this disease can cause serious complications, including permanent blindness. The eye doctor will ask for a history of complaints, then check the physical condition of your eyes. The doctor may also conduct a series of laboratory tests to look for signs of infection and autoimmune disease, measure eye pressure, and perform an ophthalmoscopy, including fundoscopy, and slit lamp examinations, or X-rays to aid in diagnosis. After that, the doctor will provide treatment and eye pain medication that suits your condition. If the type of eye inflammation includes anterior uveitis, then treatment can be in the form of eye drops to dilate the pupils and reduce pain, or corticosteroid eye drops reduce inflammation or irritation. The use of sunglasses is also recommended to reduce sensitivity to light. Meanwhile, if inflammation of the eye includes posterior uveitis, the treatment is in the form of injections around the eyes and antibiotics if there is a bacterial infection. Whereas if included as intermediate uveitis, the treatment includes corticosteroids in the form of eye drops and oral medication. It is better to avoid using eye medication carelessly to treat eye inflammation. Consult an eye doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of eye inflammation, to get the right treatment and in accordance with the type of eye inflammation that you are experiencing.