When your eye becomes red, painful, and sensitive to light, it might be uveitis, an inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye that includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. Also known as intraocular inflammation, it’s not just a minor irritation—it can lead to vision loss if untreated. Uveitis isn’t one disease. It’s a symptom that can come from infections, autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or sarcoidosis, or even trauma. That’s why treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Most cases start with corticosteroids, powerful anti-inflammatory drugs used to quickly calm eye swelling. These come as eye drops, pills, or injections, depending on how deep the inflammation goes. But steroids aren’t a long-term fix. Prolonged use raises your risk of glaucoma and cataracts. That’s why doctors often add immunosuppressants, medications that quiet down an overactive immune system attacking the eye—like methotrexate, azathioprine, or biologics such as adalimumab. These take weeks to kick in, but they help you reduce or stop steroids altogether.
Not all uveitis is autoimmune. If it’s caused by an infection—like herpes, toxoplasmosis, or syphilis—antivirals or antibiotics are the first step. Misdiagnose the cause, and you’re just masking symptoms while the real problem keeps damaging your eye. That’s why testing matters: blood work, eye fluid samples, even chest X-rays to check for sarcoidosis. And if you’ve got uveitis in both eyes, or it keeps coming back, you’re likely dealing with an underlying systemic condition. That’s when you need a team: an ophthalmologist, a rheumatologist, and sometimes an infectious disease specialist.
What you won’t find in the medical literature are miracle cures from supplements or home remedies. While some people swear by turmeric or omega-3s, there’s no solid proof they treat uveitis. And skipping prescribed meds for herbal stuff? That’s how you lose vision. The real goal isn’t just to make the redness go away—it’s to protect your sight long-term. That means sticking to your treatment plan, even when you feel fine. Uveitis can flare up without warning.
The posts below give you the details you won’t get in a 10-minute doctor’s visit. You’ll find what happens when uveitis meds clash with other drugs, how to spot early signs of complications, and what to do if your current treatment stops working. No fluff. Just real, practical info from people who’ve been there—and the science behind what actually helps.
