Navigating Uveitis and Its Treatment Options
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Navigating Uveitis and Its Treatment Options
Uveitis is a complex and potentially sight-threatening eye condition that encompasses a range of inflammatory disorders affecting the uvea, the middle layer of the eye. When it comes to diagnosis and treatment, uveitis can pose challenges due to the various potential causes and different ways that it may present. The goal of any uveitis treatment is to control the inflammation of the eye in order to manage the symptoms while preventing vision loss and any other complications. From corticosteroid eye drops and pills to cutting-edge injections and implants, many treatment options are available for each type and severity of uveitis. Your treatment plan will depend on several factors, like which part of the eye is affected, any health conditions you may have, or whether the cause is infectious. Understanding the available choices for treatment and how they function can assist both you and your doctor in finding the right treatment option for you!
Uveitis Symptoms
Uveitis can present with several different kinds of symptoms. Here are a few symptoms to recognize:
Visual Disturbances
Floaters, specks, cloudiness, or haziness in your vision are frequent indications of uveitis-related inflammation. Even though these visual disturbances are not exclusive to uveitis, they still warrant attention.
Eye Redness and Discomfort
Inflammation affecting the uvea, or middle layer of the eye, often results in a reddened, bloodshot eye. This redness accompanies discomfort and heightened sensitivity to both natural and artificial light.
Impaired Vision
Swelling can disrupt normal visual function, leading to blurry or diminished eyesight. The severity varies based on the type of uveitis, but untreated cases risk permanent vision loss. If your vision significantly deteriorates, you should seek immediate medical care.
Types of Uveitis
Uveitis is defined by criteria such as anatomic location, course, and etiology (or cause). Uveitis can be acute or chronic depending on its onset and duration. It is classified by the parts of the eye that are affected as either anterior, posterior, intermediate, or panuveitis. The cause, or etiology, can be trauma to the eye (including surgery) or various other infectious or non-infectious factors. Infectious uveitis is treated by treating the source of the infection. Non-infectious uveitis can be a bit more challenging to treat, depending on the location, severity and root cause of the inflammation.
Treatment Options for Non-Infectious Uveitis
When it comes to treatment options, there are an array of uveitis medicines and therapies. Steroids, in the form of corticosteroid medications, are the most common approach to effectively curbing eye inflammation, alleviating symptoms, and safeguarding against vision deterioration. These steroid treatments can be prescribed in different ways and may require treatment for months or even years.
Eye Drops
One of the most common treatment methods for uveitis is prescription eye drops. These drops contain anti-inflammatory corticosteroids; however, their effectiveness tends to be limited when dealing with inflammation that extends beyond the front part of the eye. While they play a vital role in managing less severe uveitis cases, additional therapies might be necessary for more comprehensive treatment.
Immunosuppressant Medicine
In more severe cases, immunosuppressant medications may be a viable option. These treatment options work to broadly diminish or regulate the body’s immune response. In situations where inflammation affects both eyes, oral steroid pills might be recommended. Alternatively, if pills are not suitable or inflammation becomes more severe, doctors may opt for intravenous (IV) steroids or other IV medications to manage the condition more effectively.
Intravitreal Steroid Injections
When conventional eye drops and pills can’t control the inflammation in the back of the eye, steroids can be injected directly into the eye. These injections deliver the steroid directly to the affected area and can last up to six months. However, you may require multiple injections over an extended period of time to help control uveitis.
Intravitreal Implants
For people with repeat occurrences of non-infectious uveitis affecting the back of the eye, intravitreal implants may provide a longer-lasting solution. These implants offer a prolonged therapeutic effect by continually delivering a steady dose of steroids to the affected eye, which may provide sustained relief. These implants come in various types, with some requiring surgical insertion while others are inserted through a tiny needle and do not require stitches. This approach is a durable treatment for individuals seeking effective, lasting relief for non-infectious posterior uveitis symptoms.
YUTIQ®: A Long-Term Uveitis Treatment
When diagnosed with chronic non-infectious uveitis affecting the posterior segment of the eye, you and your doctor are likely to consider many treatment options. YUTIQ is an intravitreal implant designed to combat uveitis symptoms over the long-term and reduce recurrence of inflammation. One injection of a tiny implant (only 1/32nd of a grain of rice) delivers a sustained release of medicine for up to 36 months. That’s up to 3 years of CONTINUOUS CALM
with less inflammation, discomfort, and injections, all while improving or maintaining your vision.
While uveitis may be difficult to diagnose, there is hope for improved outcomes and enhanced quality of life for those affected by this complex and sight-threatening disorder. Please contact your doctor with any questions or concerns about your disease. For more information on the YUTIQ injectable treatment option, please visit yutiqpatients.com/what-is-yutiq/. Continue reading our blog for more helpful information on uveitis!