Eye inflammation can appear suddenly and can get worse quickly. Early symptoms of eye inflammation can include eye pain, red eyes, and blurred vision. If not treated immediately, eye inflammation can cause visual disturbances, even blindness.
Types of Eye Inflammation
Based on the location of the inflammation, eye inflammation can be divided into several types, namely:
1. Uveitis anterior (front eye)
Anterior uveitis is often referred to as iritis because it affects the iris or iris, which is the colored part of the front of the eye. Iritis is the most common type of eye inflammation.
This condition can be caused by various factors, ranging from trauma to the eye to certain health problems, such as rheumatoid arthritis, syphilis, tuberculosis, and shingles.
2. Intermediate uveitis (middle eye)
This condition involves the middle uvea and is also called iridocyclitis. The word 'intermediate' actually refers to the location of the inflammation and not the severity of the inflammation.
This type of eye inflammation can happen to anyone, but it's more common in young adults and is often associated with autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and sarcoidosis.
3. Uveitis posterior (back eye)
This eye inflammation is also known as choroiditis because it affects the choroid, which is the network of eye blood vessels that drains blood to the back of the eye.
Posterior uveitis tends to be more serious than anterior uveitis because it can injure the retinal tissue, so that it risks causing visual impairment, even blindness. This type of eye inflammation is also often associated with infectious and autoimmune diseases.
4. Panuveitis
Panuveitis is the most serious type of eye inflammation because it affects the entire uvea and the important parts of the eye (including the iris, ciliary body and choroid). Panuveitis can cause a combination of symptoms from all types of eye inflammation.
Eye inflammation or uveitis can occur in a short time (acute), or run and last for quite a long time (chronic), and can even be repeated. To overcome this, eye inflammation must be treated according to the underlying cause.
How to Overcome Eye Inflammation
Patients who experience symptoms of eye inflammation should immediately see an eye doctor. To be sure, the doctor can carry out a series of examinations, such as:
- Ophthalmoscopy
- Funduscopy
- Slit lamp
- Tonometry
- Other supporting examinations, including blood tests and X-rays
After that, the doctor will provide treatment and medication for eye pain according to your condition. Some eye inflammation drugs that doctors usually prescribe are:
Anti-inflammatory drug
One of the anti-inflammatory drugs that are commonly given is corticosteroids. This corticosteroid drug is available in the form of eye drops, tablets or injections, the use of which is adjusted to the type of eye inflammation.
Antibiotic or antiviral medication
If uveitis is caused by an infection, the doctor will give antibiotics or antiviral drugs to control the infection.
Immunosuppressant drugs
If it occurs in both eyes, uveitis is likely due to an autoimmune disease, so the patient requires immunosuppressant drugs. This type of drug is also needed if treatment with corticosteroids is ineffective or if the condition of the eye inflammation is getting worse.
Avoid using any eye medication to treat eye inflammation. If you experience symptoms of eye inflammation, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment, according to the type of eye inflammation you are experiencing.
