Also called Iritis. Inflammation of eye's uvea, lying between retina and sclera/cornea.Encyclopedia Entry for Uveitis :Uveitis. Uveitis can be caused by autoimmune disorders. These diseases occur when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. Examples are: Ankylosing spondylitis Psoriasis Reactive arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Sarcoidosis Ulcerative colitis Uveitis can also be caused by infections such as: AIDS Cytomegalovirus ( CMV) retinitis Herpes zoster infection Histoplasmosis Kawasaki disease Syphilis Toxoplasmosis Tuberculosis Exposure to toxins or injury can also cause uveitis. In many cases, the cause is unknown. The most common form of uveitis involves inflammation the front part of the eye. It is often called iritis because it most often only affects the iris. The iris is the colored part of the eye. In most cases, it occurs in healthy people. The disorder may affect only one eye. It is most common in young and middle-aged people. Posterior uveitis affects the back part of the eye. It involves primarily the choroid. This is the layer of blood vessels and connective tissue in the middle layer of the eye. This type of uveitis is called choroiditis. If the retina is also involved, it is called chorioretinitis. Another form of uveitis is pars planitis. Changes involve the narrowed area (pars plana) between the colored part of the eye (iris) and the choroid. Pars planitis most often occurs in young men. It is generally not associated with any other disease. However, it may be linked to Crohn disease and possibly multiple sclerosis.Uveitis can affect one or both eyes. Symptoms may develop rapidly and can include: Blurred vision Dark, floating spots in the vision Eye pain Redness of the eye Sensitivity to light.The health care provider will take a complete medical history and do an eye exam. Lab tests may be done to rule out infection or a weak immune system. If you are over age 25 and have pars planitis, your provider will suggest a brain and spine MRI. This will rule out multiple sclerosis.Iritis (anterior uveitis) is most often mild. Treatment may involve: Dark glasses Eye drops that dilate the pupil to relieve pain Steroid eye drops Pars planitis is often treated with steroid eye drops. Other medicines, including steroids taken by mouth, may be used to help suppress the immune system. Posterior uveitis treatment depends on the underlying cause. It almost always includes steroids taken by mouth. If the uveitis is caused by a body-wide (systemic) infection, you may be given antibiotics. You may also be given powerful anti-inflammatory medicines called corticosteroids.With proper treatment, most attacks of anterior uveitis go away in a few days to weeks. However, the problem often returns. Posterior uveitis may last from months to years. It may cause permanent vision damage, even with treatment.Complications may include: Cataracts Fluid within the retina Glaucoma Irregular pupil Retinal detachment Vision loss.Symptoms that need urgent medical care are: Eye pain Reduced vision.If you have a body-wide (systemic) infection or disease, treating the condition will prevent uveitis.Iritis; Pars planitis; Choroiditis; Chorioretinitis; Anterior uveitis; Posterior uveitis; Iridocyclitis.Eye Eye Visual field test Visual field test.Goldstein DA, Horsley M, Ulanski LJ II, Tessler HH. Complications of uveitis and their management.