Uveitis of the eye is an extensive group of ailments characterized by inflammation of the choroid of the organ of vision. There is a shell between the retina and sclera, its structure is complex. It has three departments. This is the iris, ciliary (celiac) body and a thin membrane (choroid), which is adjacent to the sclera and consists of vessels. The vascular membrane performs a number of important functions:
protection against excessive light;
participation in eye accommodation (viewing objects at various distances);
the production of intraocular fluid;
support for intraocular pressure;
metabolic regulation in the organ of vision;
thermoregulatory function.
Obviously, a violation of the coordinated functioning of the choroid leads to serious consequences for the entire organ. Eye disease uveitis is one of the most common. This pathology occupies 30% of all diseases of the organs of vision.
The causes of the disease
The disease can be caused by various reasons. Most often, uveitis provokes hypothermia and metabolic disorders, decreased immunity, and autoimmune processes. Very often, this pathology is caused by various kinds of infectious diseases, such as syphilis, chlamydia, tuberculosis, brucellosis, toxoplasmosis. The cause of uveitis can be viral ailments, various parasites and fungi. Systemic ailments, such as ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatism, Reiter's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, can also provoke uveitis of the eye.
Varieties
Depending on the duration of the disease, it may be acute or chronic (more than six weeks) in nature.
According to the localization of the focus of inflammation, uveitis is divided into four forms:
Iritis is the most common type of disease in which the iris of the eye becomes inflamed. Often accompanied by autoimmune ailments. This form of the disease is characterized by a sudden onset and a long (up to six to eight months) course.
Cyclitis - in this condition, deeper structures of the eye, including the ciliary muscle, become inflamed. It is characterized by a violation of the clarity of vision, lasts for several months.
Retinitis - with this pathology, the choroid of the fundus is inflamed . The disease progresses rapidly, so untimely treatment can be difficult. Retinitis can cause viruses or bacterial infections.
Choroiditis - this disease is characterized by inflammation of the vascular layer, which is located under the retina. This condition can be observed with tuberculosis.
Panuveitis - inflammation covers the entire choroid.
Symptoms
Manifestations of uveitis are determined by the pathogenicity of the infection, the location of the focus of inflammation and, of course, the body's ability to resist infection. The symptom of iritis or acute uveitis is a slight fog before the eyes, redness of the eyeball, an increase in intraocular pressure, lacrimation, and blurred vision. Manifestations of other forms of the disease, as a rule, are mild or the disease is completely asymptomatic. Usually, in this case, there is no redness of the organs of vision, pain, rapid blindness. Vision deteriorates gradually, while there is a veil or spot in front of the eyes.
Acute uveitis of the eye extremely dangerous. The disease progresses very quickly, and untimely diagnosis can lead to blindness.
Diagnostics
Detect eye disease uveitis can be quite early. Timely initiated competent treatment will help to defeat the ailment. Diagnosis is carried out exclusively by an ophthalmologist. In order to correctly establish and confirm the diagnosis by specialists, the following methods are used:
Treatment
In medical practice, a sluggish uveitis of the eyes is in a special place - this is one of the first signs of a developing disease when the color of the iris changes. Treatment in this case is aimed at the quickest resorption of turbidity and the elimination of the underlying ailment. If you do not pay attention to the first symptoms in time, changes in the color of the iris will be replaced by dystrophy, and then the collapse of the iris. With timely treatment, vision is completely restored, otherwise it will be completely lost.
When identifying the infectious nature of the disease, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs are used in the form of ointments, drops, which are prescribed topically, as well as in the form of tablets and injections for systemic therapy. In addition, it is mandatory to use drops that dilate the pupil. It is also recommended to use vasodilators, immunostimulants, physiotherapy treatment has a positive effect. If the patient rises intraocular pressure, the use of antiglaucoma drugs is prescribed.
Uveitis of the eye: treatment with folk remedies
To eliminate the disease, you can use the proven recipes of traditional medicine:
1. Three tablespoons of calendula pour a glass of boiling water and insist for an hour. Strain and flush inflamed eyes. For the same purpose, you can use sage, rosehip.
2. Every morning, treat the eyes with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Every day it is necessary to prepare a new solution, in order to avoid transmission of infection for each eye, use a separate sterile cotton wool.
3. To wash the organs of vision, prepare an infusion of dry aloe leaves. You can also use fresh plant juice, after diluting it with boiled water in a ratio of 1:10.
4. To three or four tablespoons of the marshmallow root (chopped) add a glass of cold boiled water, mix and leave for eight hours. The resulting composition is used for compresses on the eyes.
An uveitis of the eye is a rather serious disease that leads to irreversible consequences, therefore it requires urgent treatment. If there is a slight reddening of the organ of vision, which does not go away for several days, you should contact an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. After the examination, the correct diagnosis will be made and treatment necessary.
Watch your health, do not ignore the first symptoms of diseases. Be healthy!